
aass A-S^i^O \ 

Book_^C^2tM..^j 



PRESENTED BV 





k\ .m..^..:^ 



HISTORY 



OF 



COTNER UNIVERSITY 

including the 

Early Religious and Educational Movement of 
the Christian Church in Nebraska. 



By LEON A. MOOMAW, A. M. 



—1916 



1.03 140 ) 



To the men ivho founded a Christian Uni- 
versity in Nebraska; to the ones who 
have loyally stood by it during the tiven- 
ty -seven years of its existence, and to the 
hundred of students, alumni and friends 
%uho love Cotner. 






Cha 




Presented as a thesis for the xoaster of arts degree 
at the University of Kehraska. Cf • Letter from 
Earnest W.Lxmdeen, Librarian, Cotner College, Lin- 
coln, Neh«, June 27,1926. 



\ 



CONTENTS 

Chapter I — Early Educational and Religious 

History in Nebraska. 
Chapter II — The Beginning of Fairfield College. 

Chapter III — The Decline of Fairfield College. 

Chapter IV — The Inception of Nebraska Chris- 

tian University. 
lPTER V — The Laying of the Cornerstone. 

LPTER VI — The City of Lincoln. 

iPTER VII — The Promoters and Their Plan. 
VPTER VIII — The Kealization of the Dream. 
^PTER IX — Bennett Academy and Kindred Ven- 

tures. 
' APTER X — A Nevv^ Friend and a New Name. 

APTER XI — The Crisis. 

APTER XII — The School in Jeopardy. 
Chapter XIII — Cotner Redeemed- 
Chapter XIV — The Faculty at Work. 
Chapter XV — Cotner's Departmental Schools. 
Chapter XVI — Outside of Books at Cotner. 
Chapter XVII — Clippings from the Cotner Expon- 
ent. 
Chapter XVIII — Clippings from the Cotner Colleg- 
ian. 
Chapter XIX — Looking Backward, 
Chapter XX — Commencements. 
Chapter XXI — Cotner Alumni. 
Chapter XXII — Cotner Alumni Among the Colleges. 
Chapter XXIII — Cotner Alumni Among the 

Churches. 
Chapter XXIV — Cotner Alumni in Missionary Work. 
Chapter XXV— Cotner of Today. 



PREFACE 

Three motives have prompted the writing of this 
book; first, to give the reader a history of the higher 
educational movement in Nebraska, fostered by the 
Christian church. We hope it will be a sort of educa- 
tional manual of ready reference for this early period. 
We have given you the historical facts concerning the 
early Christian church in Nebraska, Fairfield College, 
and the founding of Cotner. After a careful interpreta- 
tion of the facts, we feel you will have no words of 
criticism to offer against those who have preceded us 
in Christian work. 

Second, all love college days and we wished to pre- 
serve a record of events, victories, advancements, etc., 
before time snatches them from us. Papers, programs 
and records are too often not preserved. Memory is 
weak when time has its way, and F.ome, who know 
Cotner best, have already been called by the reaper, 
while others may soon expect that call. 

The last motive is the greatest of all. We hope as 
you learn more about Cotner you will be even more 
loyal. May this little contribution assist all other 
forces in building a greater Cotner, v/hich will surpass 
anything of which her founders ever dreamed. 

As you read this book we realize you will find im- 
perfections. Perhaps you will feel we have not re- 
corded things correctly, omitted points which should 
have been mentioned or misinterpreted events. We 
have relied upon writings and memories of others for 
much of the material and have been led to interpret 
it, as we have, through our own investigation and the 
counsel of friends. Memory is often faulty after 
twenty years and records incomplete. Sometimes 
friends have responded quickly, other times reluctantly, 



8 History of Cotner University 

to our inquiry for information. We have a feAV cases 
of very important churches that are not given proper 
mention because we received no response. In the 
multiplicity of events, happenings and names, which 
have been connected with Cotner during the twenty- 
seven years, we have had to choose that which was rep- 
resentative, rather than to mention all. In the face 
of these conditions we hope you will not be too critical. 
We have given much of our energy, time and thought 
to this task; you are to judge the product. 

I wish to express my appreciation to J. Z. Briscoe, 
C. W. Hemry, W. P. Aylsworth, J. W. Hilton and W. A. 
Baldwin for their special help in giving me informa- 
tion. Many of the present faculty and student body 
have been very kind in assisting in the work. The 
alumni have helped greatly. Many students in my 
classes have offered words of good cheer. But most 
of all, I am indebted to my wife for words of encour- 
agement when I was blue, for sympathy when per- 
plexed and for her constant help when in need of asssit- 
ance. 

Leon A. Moomaw. 
Bethany, Nebraska, May 12, 1916. 



CHAPTER I 

Early Educational and Religious History in Nebraska 

In the days when ''the west" w^as still eastern Ne- 
braska ; when the pioneer farmer was beginning to in- 
crease the size of the Indian squaw's garden, and 
divide the vast territory into quarters and sections, 
higher education in Nebraska had its beginning. After 
that memorable struggle in the United States Senate 
which resulted in the triumph of Stephen A. Douglas, 
by the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill in 1854, 
Nebraska became a territory and settlement began. 

The first territorial legislature met January 15, 1855. 
Hon.T.B. Cuming, acting governor, in his first message 
called attention to the necessity of making careful pro- 
vision for education. There was a committee on schools 
to which this part of the message was referred. Dur- 
ing this first session charters were granted to Ne- 
braska University to be located at Fontenelle, Simpson 
University at Omaha, and a Collegiate and Preparatory 
Institute at Nebraska City. 

To be the home of a university seemed to be the first 
and highest ambition of all of Nebraska's earliest 
towns. At the second session of the legislature char- 
ters were granted to Nemaha University at Archer; 
Washington College at Cuming City ; Plattsmouth Pre- 
paratory and Collegiate Institute; and the Western 
University at Cassville. At the next session another 
list was added : Brownville College and Lyceum, Salem 
Collegiate Institute, Rock Bluff Academy, Dakota Col- 
legiate Institute, St. Mary's Female Academy, Univer- 
sity of St. John and Omaha Medical University. In 
the fall session of the same year still more charters 
were asked for and granted to University of Nebraska, 
Wyoming College, Dewitt Collegiate Institute, Falls 



10 History of Cotner University 

City College, Literary Association of Elkhorn, and 
Dodge County Lyceum and Literary Association. In 
those early days there was a general feeling that the 
chartering of universities was a good thing. The legis- 
lature had blank charters all ready for introduction 
as soon as the name of the prospective school was in- 
serted.^ 

The spirit of adventure and speculation entered 
largely into these new enterprises. They were joint 
stock companies created for financial gain. The towns 
started universities in order to advertise the locality. 
The high ideals of the true educator seem to have been 
lacking in most cases although the object as set forth 
in the charters was worthy enough, ''to promote the 
general educational interests and to qualify students to 
engage in the several pursuits and employments of 
society and to discharge honorably and usefully the 
various duties of life."- 

The propagation of religious denominationalism was 
not their great object although the charters read thus: 
'The profession of any particular religious faith shall 
not be required of those who become its students."^ 
There was doubt in the minds of some, however, as to 
whether the non-Christian had a right to attend such 
schools because "the profession of any particular reli- 
gious faith shall not be required," indicating that all 
students must profess some religious faith. 

For these institutions, the Boards of Trustees con- 
sisted of from five to twenty members elected by the 
stockholders. The capital stock was from $100,000 
to $200,000 aside from land, which in the early char- 



iThe facts about the early educational movement in Nebraska 
and about the denominational colleges of the state have been 
secured largely from Morton's "History of Nebraska" and Cald- 
well's ''Education in Nebraska." 

^Legislative charters for colleges. 



Early Educational and Religious History 11 

ters was limited to one thousand acres. Thus one 
gleans from pioneer Nebraska history that the nucleus 
for higher education was formed in the fifties with 
speculation rather than religion as its chief promoter. 

Over sixty years ago a venturesome group of col- 
onists from Quincy, 111., wended its way across the new 
state of Iowa, now one great farm; ferried across the 
big, muddy Missouri, and set foot on Nebraska soil. 
A prospecting committee was sent on in advance to 
choose their location. A tract of land, located at the 
junction of the Platte and Elkhorn valleys, was pur- 
chased from Logan Fontenelle, chief of the Omaha In- 
dans, for one hundred dollars. A new town imme- 
diately sprang up which was named after the Indian 
chief, a half breed, his father being a French educator 
of St. Louis. Here they selected, planned, and built 
new homes, laying aside one hundred acres for educa- 
tional purposes, designating it as College Hill. The 
coloists formed a company known as the Nebraska 
Colonization Co., with strict laws and regulations. One 
hundred dollars was the price to be paid for member- 
ship in the company. 

One of their number, Mr. Richardson, was chosen 
as agent to use his influence in the territorial legisla- 
ture to secure a college charter. As has already been 
indicated a charter was secured and the new educa- 
itional institution was named, Nebraska University. 
This has the distinction of being the first school to be 
chartered and to begin academic work in the territory 
of Nebraska. 

Passing from the fifties to the seventies and eighties, 
speculation is joined by religious denominationalism 
as a motive power in university building. The pioneer 
settlers of Nebraska had come from the eastern states 
seeking homes in the west. Their first task was the 
erection of houses and the beginning of agricultural 



12 History of Cotner University 

pursuits. There was little community life because of 
the scarcity of settlers and the long distances between 
their homes. But as years advanced new families 
came and times grew more prosperous. Very natur- 
ally the first desire of their lives was the organization 
of churches in accordance with the religious affiliations 
of their youth. The various religious denominations 
sought to conquer the new land in behalf of their res- 
pective beliefs. The struggle became intense. Each 
sect early recognized the hopelessness of its task with- 
out the corresponding educational advantages. As an 
outgrowth of this recognized fact, came the foundation 
of the different denominational universities. 

At the first annual meeting of the Congregational 
churches of Nebraska territory held at Omaha, October 
30, 1857, this resolution was passed, ''That we deem 
it expedient to take measures to lay the foundation of 
a literary institution of a high order in Nebraska."^ 
A committee of three was appointed to view locations 
and receive propositions which resulted in the trans- 
fer of Nebraska University at Fontenelle; in 1858, to 
the Congregationalists. The early prospects for the 
school were bright but the approaching disappoint- 
ments many. Fontenelle had hopes of securing a 
double prize, the county seat and the state capital; 
but settlement was pushing to the southwest which 
sealed its fate as a school center and a town. 'Ttemont 
secured the county seat and Fontenelle was set in an- 
other county; Lincoln was awarded its hoped-for cap- 
ital; Crete its college and the open field its once am- 
bitious town."^ The Congregationalists saw that their 
college must be more centrally located, so Fontenelle 
was abandoned. 



iRev. Harmon Bross, D. D., Morton's History of Nebraska, 
Vol. II, pp. 496. 

2Rev. Harmon Bross, D. D., Morton's History of Nebraska, 
Vol. II, pp. 495. 



Early Educational and Religions History 13 

Six hundred acres of land adjoining Crete was se- 
cured from the Burlington and Missouri River R. R. 
Company for educational purposes. This gift was 
received largely as a result of the influence of Thomas 
Doane, who was at the time chief engineer and super- 
intendent of the Burlington in this section. In appre- 
ciation of this assistance the Congregationalists named 
the new school Doane College. Mr. Doane was a con- 
stant and liberal giver during life and upon his death 
left his estate as an endowment. The school opened 
in 1872 with only fifteen students and the president 
of the school, D. B. Perry, as the only teacher. 

The first attempt of the Methodists toward higher 
education in Nebraska was to locate Simpson Univer- 
sity at Omaha in 1855. As a financial basis they had 
been given fifty acres of land by Rev. Moses F. Shinn 
and twenty -five acres by T. B. Cuming, acting governor 
of Nebraska territory. This land is now very valuable 
being located in the heart of a fine residence district 
in Omaha. However, the whole project was aban- 
doned on account of a disputed title to the land. 

The second attempt was at Oreapolis, Nebraska. 
The chief promoter was John Evans, M. D. A few 
years previous to this time he had assisted in the found- 
ing of Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, 
the town being so named in his honor. Later he be- 
came governor of Colorado and one of the influential 
men in the founding of Denver University. Oreapolis 
Seminary was doomed to failure because of the unpro- 
pitious time of its beginning. In 1880 a proposition was 
oflfered to the Methodists by York, which made it pos- 
sible for York Seminary to be started. Its career too 
was brief although it did creditable work; and at one 
time had an attendance of over two hundred students. 
This school would probably have lived had it not been 



14 History of Cotner University 

for the close competition offered by the founding of 
two other colleges. In 1884, a school at Central City, 
Nebraska, was established and a $10,000 building 
erected. Two years later Mallalieu University was 
started at Bartley, Nebraska. Each of these three 
schools had a prosperous beginning but later the finan- 
cial conditions were so embarrassing that it became 
evident that none could continue to live. The pardon- 
able sectional pride, which each different district had 
was not sufficient for the maintenance of a university 
within its borders, hence steps were taken by the Meth- 
odist church for a unification of its educational system 
in Nebraska. A plan accomplished by the estab- 
lishment of Nebraska Wesleyan University at Lincoln. 
The other schools were soon abandoned, and all efforts 
were united in making this the educational center for 
the Methodists in Nebraska. The original building 
was erected at a cost of $70,000. In recent years the 
C. C. White Memorial Hall has been added at a cost 
of $50,000. To-day Nebraska Wesleyan ranks among 
the best educational institutions of the state. 

Another denomination seeking to propagate its 
cause was the Presbyterian church which supports 
two colleges in Nebraska. In 1880, Bellevue College 
was founded as a result of the generous gift from 
Henry T. Clarke which consisted of two hundred and 
sixty-four acres of land with a promise to erect a build- 
ing which he later did at a cost of $16,000. At present 
there are five buildings, including the dormitory and 
the president's home, on the college campus at historic 
Bellevue, Nebraska. 

Due to a spirit of rivalry a second Presbyterian 
college was opened at Hastings, Nebraska, in 1882. 
The campus of twenty-three acres is located just out- 
side the city limits of Hastings, upon which are situ- 
ated two buildings, McCormick Hall and Ringland Hall, 



Eaidy Educational and Religious History 15 

costing $13,000 and $20,000 respectively. Each of 
these schools is doing quite efficient work despite the 
fact that they have suffered financial ''ups and downs." 

That the Baptist church was also cognizant of the 
need of Christian education is proved by the tenor of 
the resolutions passed by the First Nebraska Baptist 
Association, meeting in 1858, "that we recommend to 
the churches composing this association the immediate 
formation of an educational society v/ith the view of 
taking steps, at as early a date as may be deemed prac- 
ticable, for founding and maintaining an educational 
institution of high grade at some central and conven- 
ient point within the territory."^ This resulted in the 
establishment of a school, first at Gibbon and later the 
college at Grand Island, Nebraska. The city of Grand 
Island contributed very liberally to this undertaking. 
The preparations for the opening of the school were 
consummated in 1892. 

The only Catholic university of the state had its 
beginning in the autumn of 1879. It was made possible 
by large gifts from Edward and John A. Creighton and 
their wives. The university known as /'Creighton" is 
situated on a six-acre tract in the heart of the city of 
Omaha. 

After the Methodists abandoned their work at York 
the United Brethern established a school according to 
their religious creed in that city. The school has had 
its reverses but at present is doing creditable work. 

It is readily seen that between the years 1870 and 
1895 the denominational struggle for the establish- 
ment of colleges was keen. It was a "sifting" period 
in which the determining factor was the old law of the 
"survival of the fittest." Each religious body was 



iRev. A. W. Clark, Ph. D., Morton's History of Nebraska, Vol. 
II, page 432. 



16 History of Cotner University 

anxious to advance its cause, and each city liberal in 
its assistance, hoping to further its interests and devel- 
opment. 

During this period the Christian church was also 
alert. The history of this organization in Nebraska 
dates back to the days when the pioneer and the open 
prairie were struggling for supremacy. Among those 
who migrated westward, some were members of the 
Christian church. In this new land they were loyal to 
those principles for which the church stood. They were 
willing to accept that great truth, ''where the Bible 
speaks, we speak, and where it is silent, we are silent," 
to wear only the name of Christ ; to accept the creed 
Jesus the Christ, the son of God and to plead for the 
unity of God's people. It seems that the first Chris- 
tian preacher to deliver a sermon in the territory was 
a man named Foster. This occurred on June 15, 1845, 
not far from the present town of Ogalalla.^ This, of 
course, preceded any concerted effort to establish 
churches. 

The first Christian church organized in Nebraska 
was in January, 1855, at Brownville. This was due 
to the efforts of Richard Brown and Joel M. Wood who 
had arrived in the territory in 1854 and had been in- 
strumental in the establishment of the town which had 
been named in honor of Mr. Brown. These men were 
both ardent Christians ; Mr. Wood being a preacher 
of some prominence who began at once to preach to 
the newly arrived inhabitants. Another person con- 
nected with this work was John Mullis. This organ- 
ization was unable to erect a church building for sev- 
eral years. 

No history, however brief, of the early Christian 



iJoel Palmer "Journal of Travels over the Rocky Mountains," 
1847. Page 23. 



Early Educational and Religious History 17 

church of Nebraska can be written without mention- 
ing at least three names, C. P. Evans, D. R. Dungan, 
and R. C. Barrow. While living at Sidney, Iowa, C. P. 
Evans^ often visited Nebraska, preaching at various 
points, in the early sixties. He held a meeting which 
resulted in an organization being perfected at Platts- 
mouth in May, 1860. The next year, assisted by D. R. 
Dungan- and W. A. Denton, congregtions were started 



^Charles P. Evans was born in Belmont county, Ohio, Feb. 2, 
1827. His early education was received in the country schools. 
Later he took some work at Hiram College, Ohio, and at Ken- 
tucky University, Lexington, Ky. His scholarship was in ad- 
vance of the ordinary student although he did not graduate from 
either of these institutions. Mr. Evans was born and raised on 
a farm and when but a lad of seventeen years was baptized into 
the Christian church. His home was alternately in Indiana 
and Iowa, prior to his movement to Arapahoe, Nebr., in 1887. 
He began his public career in 1849, being ordained to the minis- 
try Dec. 31, 1855, in which work he has since been actively en- 
gaged. Elder Evans traveled and preached in nine different 
states, principally in Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. 

-David Roberts Dungan is a descendant of a remarkable fam- 
ily whose genealogy is traced back ten generations to the Earl 
of Dunganon. Originally the name came from Scotland and 
was spelled Duncan, the g being used in the English, Mr. Dun- 
gan was born in Indiana May 15, 1837. He spent his boyhood 
and received his early education in Indiana and western Iowa. 
He was a student in Kentucky University, I^exington, Ky., but 
received his A. M. degree from Drake Universtiy, Des Moines, 
Iowa. The degree of LL. D. was granted to Mr. Dungan from 
the University _ of Nebraska in 1891. Plattsmouth, Nebr., be- 
came his home in 1863 where he preached for two congregations 
and taught school during the winter months. Eight years were 
spent in the service of the Nebraska Christian Missionary So- 
ciety, his work closing in 1874. For six years Mr. Dungan was 
a member of the Board of Regents of the State University; was 
a member of the Academy of Sciences and of the State Historical 
Society. Dr. Dungan was chaplain of the state legislature when 
held in Omaha and later when removed to Lincoln. During the 
years from 1890 to 1896 he was president of Cotner Univer- 
sity. Previous to his being called to the presidency of Cotner, 
he had taught for seven years in Drake University, Des Moines, 
Iowa. After leaving Cotner he became dean of the Christian 
University, Canton, Mo. In 1905 he again became a member of 



18 History of Cotner University 

at Fontenelle, Papillion Creek and Ireland's Grove, 
while preaching was done at several other places. 

In 1863 a co-operation meeting of the six Christian 
churches of Nebraska was held at Rock Bluff. A reso- 
lution was passed asking for assistance from the Amer- 
ican Christian Missionary Society. In response to this 
call D. R. Dungan, who was engaged in teaching at 
Plattsmouth and occasional preaching at nearby points, 
was employed to begin missionary work. Six months 
later R. C. Barrow was engaged as evangelist and con- 
tinued in the work for twenty-five years, when he was 
overtaken by death. ^ The co-operation meeting at Rock 
Bluff proved to be the beginning of the Nebraska 
Christian Missionary Society, and the employment of 
these two men, the most vital step in the organization 
of the Christian church movement in Nebraska. These 
men were always faithful to the cause, preaching 
wherever there was an opportunity whether in a school 
house, a deserted building, at some residence house or 
in a grove. Miles and miles were traveled upon horse- 
back going from place to place. They were instru- 
mental in organizing churches at Pawnee City, Omaha, 
Lincoln, Tecumseh, Nebraska City, Salem, Table Rock, 



the faculty at Drake University. He was married in 1861 to 
Mary Ann Kinnis to whom he owes much of his success in life. 
Mr. Dungan is at present residing in California. 

iRobert Clark Barrow was born in Audes, New York, Aug. 18, 
1832. He was unable to secure any school privileges until six- 
teen years of age and then for only three years. The rest of 
his education was received through his own efforts yet he ac- 
quired some knowledge of both Latin and Greek. At the age 
of twenty-six he became a member of the Christian church; 
shortly after, he began to preach, spending the remainder of his 
life in the ministry. Mr. Barrow preached in Pennsylvania until 
1865 when he was appointed as evangelist for Nebraska ter- 
ritory by the Christian Missionary Society. Miss Helen Harding 
became his bride in 1856. Mr. Barrow died in Bethany, Nebr., 
Nov. 29, 1890. 



Earlij Educational and Religious History 19 

Bell's Station (now Greenwood), Nemaha City and 
many other places. 

The work done by the men in the sixties has con- 
tinued to grow until at present there are two hundred 
Christian churches in the state. These early leaders 
created an educational conscience, so that they were 
ready, when other denominations began to plan for 
colleges and universities, to begin a similar work. 



CHAPTER II 

The Beginning of Fairfield Oollege 
The planting of a Christian college at Fairfield was 
the first realized attempt of the Christian church to- 
ward higher education in Nebraska. It seems, how- 
ever, that at an earlier date the idea of a Christian 
educational institution had its beginning. While it is 
not a matter of record, it is probable that Hebron has 
a right to claim the honor of having been the first 
place discussed as a desirable location for a Christian 
college in Nebraska. During the great Chicago fire 
in 1871, a number of the members of the Christian 
church had been rendered homeless and destitute of 
worldly possessions. In the hope of bettering their 
condition they moved westward finally locating at 
Hebron, Nebraska. Isaac Errett, one of the pro- 
nounced leaders in the Christian church movement, 
purchased a half section of land near the town with the 
hope of having a college located upon this tract, but 
his hope failed of realization.^ 

The first Christian church of Nebraska was born in 
January, 1855. By the year 1863 there were six 
churches. At this early stage the need of co-operation 
was recognized and the six churches in a meeting held 
at Rock Bluff, Nebraska, sought assistance from the 
American Christian Missionary Societj^ This was the 
beginning of a united effort. Evangelists were placed 



iThere are no records which prove that Hebron was discussed 
as a desirable location for a college but the writer has relied 
upon the memory of Mr. C. W. Hemry who gave us this in- 
formation. 



The Beginning of Fairfield College 21 

in the field to assist the established churches and to 
perfect new ones. There was need of a central body 
to outline the missionary tasks ; to send evangelists 
into the field; to assist financially and otherwise in 
the creation and preservation of the church, and to 
provide the general program of Christian work; in 
other words there was need of a commander over all 
the Christian church forces of the state. In lieu of 
these facts the simple co-operative meeting of the six 
churches which had been held at Rock Bluff in 1863 
became a complete organization in 1867, known as 
the Nebraska Christian Missionary Society. During 
the half century of its existence it has ''been the fos- 
tering power of our movement in the state. It has 
gathered the small amounts that came in the early 
years from the poverty of the few and used it wisely 
so that the number of churches increased steadily. It 
made a dollar do three to ten times the work done by 
other religious bodies of the state. Its revenue never 
in any degree approached the needs of the field."^ 
Thus it was for this society, as it viewed the great field, 
to indicate the need for education by the Christian 
church. But the keynote was not sounded until the 
twenty-first annual convention in 1878. Worthy T. 
Newcomb offered a resolution asking for the appoint- 
ment of a college committee.- This wish was granted 
and Mr. Rowe, Mr. Bush and Mr. Newcomb were 
named. The selection of the committee proved to be 
the only thing accomplished. 



iW. A. Baldwin, Christian Eeporter, Sept., 1909. 

^Worthy T. Newcomb was a graduate of Hiram College, Ohio, 
in the class of 1873. After spending a few years in preaching 
for the Christian church he moved to Nebraska, locating upon 
a farm near Fairfield. The glowing reports which he sent back 
to his native state and his Alma Mater were responsible for 
bringing several Hiram graduates to Nebraska. He was very 
active in the early Christian church movem.ent of the state. 



22 History of Cotner University 

Five years elapsed before any further desire for 
even a college committee took tangible form. At this 
later date the matter was presented by R. C. Barrov^. 
As a result 0. C. Hubbel, W. T. Newcomb and R. C. 
Barrow composed the committee which launched the 
plan that resulted in the founding of an educational 
institution at Fairfield. Being eager to initiate the 
new enterprise, the committee reported, in January, 
1884, to a ministerial association which was held in 
Lincoln a half year before the next annual meeting of 
the missionary society^ The town of Fairfield, in Clay 
county, was selected as the location for the proposed 
institution, a choice not entirely satisfactory to all. 
Objections were made by some to this location because 
there was only one railroad entering the town, the St. 
Joseph and Western. The territory from which most 
students would come was Nebraska. From the north, 
east and west there was no direct route to Fairfield. 
This was considered a great drawback. Undoubtedly 
the whole plan was rather hastily formed and executed. 

As is almost always true in such an undertaking, 
there Avas one individual who was the guiding spirit; 
in this instance that man was Worthy T. Newcomb. 
During the seventies Mr. Newcomb came west from his 
native state of Ohio and settled on a farm near Fair- 
field. The new environment increased his glowing 
hopes of the great possibilities which the west pos- 
sessed as it did for every man who breathed its at- 
mosphere. 

Prior to the time that the Nebraska Christian Mis- 
sionary Society had appointed its college committee, 



Speaking of Mr. Newcomb's connection with Fairfield College, 
Thomas L, Fowler says: "There was one man entitled to more 
crpdit for Fairfield and its work than any other person, and I 
think I would be justified in saying- than all others combined. 
If the history of the institution should be written the nam'? of 
W. T. Newcomb would stand at the hef>d." Mr. Newcomb is at 
present residing upon a small ranch at Santa Cruz, California. 



The Beginning of Fairfield College 23 

three hundred and forty-five acres of land had been 
purchased by W. T. Newcomb from W. T. Stephens 
for $10,500. This tract, together with twenty acres 
donated by S. J. Anthony, Mrs. T. J. Newcomb and 
others, formed a nucleus around which the Board of 
Trustees, consisting of nine men,^ began the enterprise. 
Three hundred and sixty -five acres of land was a larger 
basis than most schools of this type were able to se- 
cure for a foundation. The Fairfield Christian church 
was organized in a school house by W. T. Newcomb, 
June 16, 1878, the number of charter members being 
eight. So rapid was its growth that by the year 1885 
its membership had increased to two hundred and five. 
It was realized that this growing church would be of 
great assistance to the proposed school- 

Fairfield was a town of promise, hearty in its good 
will toward the new college. However, it had no 
chance of becoming a real city although it was situated 
in one of the best farming districts of the state. The 
following is a fitting description of the place : ''Fair- 
field, the home of the college, is situated in Clay county, 
Nebraska, in the midst of the beautiful rolling prairie 
of the South Platte country. It is a prosperous and 
growing town, rapidly increasing in prosperity and 
material wealth. Not the least among the causes for 
its prosperity is the fact that it is absolutely without 
saloons or other like places of resort. Five churches 
have congregations in the towm. A rich farming com- 
munity surrounds the town and is the source of a 
flourishing trade."- 

Perhaps a more beautiful spot could not have been 

^Members of first board of trustees for Fairfield College: W. 
T. Newcomb, Fah^field, Nebr.; J. P. Nixon. Fairfield; Ira Titus, 
Fairfield; J. R. Nelson, Fairbury, Nebr.; R, C. Barrow, Tecum- 
seh, Nebr.; N. B. Allen Lincoln, Nebr,; Charles Rockhill, Harv- 
ard, Nebr.; S. B. Montgomery, Edgar, Nebr.; Cleveland Eller. 
Clay Center, Nebr, 

^First Annual Catalogue Fairfield College, 



24 History of Cotner University 

secured for a college site. The description of the 
campus is even more picturesque than is that of the 
town. ''It consists of twelve acres of land selected 
from the three hundred acres belonging to the college, 
on account of its special adaptation for this purpose. 
The land sloping gradually in all directions gives it a 
wide prospect and a commanding situation. The view 
from the site of the main building over the town and 
surrounding country is one of extreme beauty. The 
grounds have been skillfully laid out with shaded 
drives, groves, shrubbery, arbors and fountains so as 
to make one of the most beautiful spots in the w^est."^ 

At a special meeting of the Board of Trustees held 
July 2, 1884, it was decided to begin school, although 
the erection of a college building had been postponed 
because delay was considered wise from a business 
point of view. The land could have been sold imme- 
diately and a building erected, but it was thought that 
real estate would greatly increase in value if the col- 
lege building could be constructed first. In accordance 
with this idea donations for a building fund were so- 
licited, a plan which naturally appeals to one as far- 
sighted. By securing enough cash donations, the Trus- 
tees would leave their property in land untouched 
which would be increasing in market value as a result 
of the new college and the added impetus accruing to 
the town. 

For two years the old church building and two tem- 
porary rooms were used for school purposes. By the 
fall of 1886, a new brick structure containing nineteen 
class rooms was completed at a cost of about $12,000. 

At first the school bore the name of P'airfield Normal 
and Collegiate Institute, but in 1889, it was changed to 
Fairfield College. During the first year of school, be- 



^ First annual catalogue of Fairfield College. 



The Beginning of Fairfield College 25 

ginning in September, 1884, twenty-six Nebraska lads 
and lasses appeared for registration. By the third 
year the attendance had grown to one hundred and 
thirty-seven.^ This was the greatest number of stu- 
dents ever enrolled during any one year in Fairfield's 
history. 

Fairfield College extended the hand of opportunity 
to many a youth. Its privileges could be accepted be- 
cause the expense was small. The tuition in each de- 
partment was at the rate of seventy -five cents per week. 
The cost for board and room is given in these words : 
"Good boarding has been provided, for several years 
past, at an average per week of less than $1.60, mak- 
ing the cost of room rent, tuition, incidentals and 
boarding at less than $115 for the entire year and for 
those w^ho prepare for the ministry at less than $90."- 

Three principal courses of study were offered in the 
college, viz : Normal, Classical and Biblical. Each year 
saw the public school system more thoroughly perfect- 
ed. There was a growing need for more teachers. The 
normal course was intended to meet this demand in that 
it was able "to fully equip young men and women for 
that most important work, teaching." •' The classical 
course contained the usual amount of modern and an- 
cient languages, particular emphasis being laid upon 
Greek and Latin. As Fairfield College held religion to 
be its basic principle, special emphasis was naturally 
laid upon the study of the Bible. It was not untrue to 
its foster mother, the Nebraska Christian Missionary 
Society and provided, the Biblical course which en- 



iRecords have been destroyed so we can only give the at- 
tendance for the years available: 1884-'85— 26; 1885-'86— 134; 
1886-'87— 137; 1887-'88— 127; 1888-'89— 96; 1891-'92— 133; 1896- 
'97—67. 

-Minutes of the twenty-sixth annual convention of the Ne- 
braska Christian Missionary Society for 1893. 
^First catalogue of Fairfield College. 



26 History of Cotner University 

deavored '^to give accurate and unbiased interpretation 
to all Scriptures and reasonable deductions there- 
from."i In addition to these regular courses, work was 
given in music, art, commercial and preparatory 
branches. 

The career of Fairfield College was begun. A college 
building had been erected, courses of study outlined, 
teachers employed, and students were enjoying its ad- 
vantages. . Similar words might be spoken of Fairfield 
College as were uttered by Alexander Campbell con- 
cerning Hiram College in Ohio when it was in its in- 
fancy and Ohio was the western frontier: ''Such in- 
stitutions, well conducted, are streams that make the 
wilderness and solitary place glad, and contribute to 
the cause of human redemption."- 



I'First catalog'ue of Fairfield College, 

-History of Hiram College by F. M. Green, pp. 53. 



CHAPTER III 

The Decline of Fairfield College 

Fairfield College was born in 1884, and entered upon 
what seemed a life of promise. Manj^ a child does not 
enter the prime of life when it is called by the grim 
reaper; thus it was with Fairfield College. In 1898, 
after an existence of fourteen years, her doors were 
closed, never to be opened again. It is now for the 
writer, as the historian of these events, to record its 
decline. Since it has now been almost thirty -two years 
since its incipiency, when one turns to secure the facts 
upon which to base this history, unfortunately there is 
little historical material remaining, save memory. 
Many men, women and youths as teachers and students 
had staked their all upon Fairfield College. They were 
all losers ; some who had taken part in the building of 
the new school lost financially; others as teachers lost 
because they gave the best years of their lives in its 
service; while still others were losers, for they found 
themselves alumni of a vanished college. One to whom 
an inquiry was directed says, ''With no data at hand 
to refresh our memory we can give you but little."^ 
Another says : ''I do not have a single thing in my 
possession from the college, not even a catalogue. As 
I lost all I had in the college, even to a hundred-sixty 
acres of land, I have tried to forget all I ever knew 
about the institution, and have succeeded pretty well, 
for which I am thankful."- So it is wherever we in- 
quire. Only fragments in printed form remain ; and 
memory, after a quarter of a century, is uncertain. 



^Personal letter from E. von Forell, ScottsblufF, Nebr. 
-Personal letter from A. J. Mercer, Kearney State Normal, 
Kearney, Nebraska. 



28 



History of Cotner University 



One can only tell a meagre, disconnected story. Be- 
tween the lines one must read of the many events un- 
recorded by printed page or dimmed memory. 

One thing which causes a school to live in the minds 
of men, although it no longer exists in material form, 
is its teachers. The first president of Fairfield College 
was C. W. Hemry. By invitation, Mr. Hemry was 




C. W. Hemry 
First President of Fairfield 

present at the meeting of the Board of Trustees held 
in July, 1884, and at that time was called to lead the 
new school. Associated with him were Mrs. C. W. 
Hemry and O. C. Hubbel,, who coniDosed the first 



The Decline of Fairfield College 29 

faculty. These three individuals were classmates in 
Hiram College, being graduates with the class of 1872, 
Mr. and Mrs. Hemry were called from responsible po- 
sitions in Ohio and proved themselves efficient teach- 
ers.^ Mr. Hubbel was at the time principal of the Has- 
tings, Nebraska, High School.- A graduate of Fairfield 
College recently said of him: "No better teacher ever 
taught, he was a teacher born." 



iChas. W. Hemry was born near Findlay, Hancock Comity, 
Ohio, Aug. 30, 1841, where he grew to manhood. His early 
education was received in the district school and a normal 
school near his home. He enlisted in Co. D, 99th O. V. I. and 
was discharged on account of wounds received in service in 
February, 1865. After the war he attended school and taught 
until 1867 when he entered Hiram College, from which school 
he was graduated in 1872. Soon after graduation he married 
Alice C. Squire, a graduate of the same class. Mr. Hemry 
served as pastor of Ohio churches previous to his being called 
to take charge of the school then being established by the Chris- 
tian church at Fairfield, Nebr. From 1884 to 1886 Mr. Hemry 
served as president of Fairfield, and teacher at the same time. 
For several years he was educational representative of Cotner 
University and for two years was editor and publisher of the 
Christian New^s at Bethany, Nebr. Mr. Hemry was engaged in 
school and church work in Clay county from 1897 to 1913 ,when 
he moved to Lincoln for a home, after so many years of active, 
laborious work. His interest in church woi'k has not lessened 
although it is of necessity less strenuous than in former years. 

Alice Squire Hemry is a native of Ohio, of sturdy New^ Eng- 
land stock. Her early education was received in the district 
school, her college training being taken at Hiram College grad- 
uating with the class of '72. Since her marriage to Mr. Hemry 
in 1872 she ever has been a faithful helper as well as the able 
manager of the home. Mrs. Hemry taught for five years in 
Fairfield College, and afterward the same length of time was 
served as principal and instructor in the Fairfield High School. 
The Christian Woman's Board of Missions work has been a 
vital part of Mrs. Hemry's life. 

-O. C. Hubbel was born in Warrenville, Ohio, Feb. 23, 1844. 
His home was in that state until 1878 when, charmed by the 
glowing written accounts of the west, he came to Nebraska 
where he taught in the public schools until becoming connected 
wHh Fairfield College, first as teacher and later as president. 
Mr. Hubbel was a graduate of Hiram College in 1872. After 
graduation he was superintendent of the schools at Bedford and 
Chagrin Falls Ohio. In Nebraska, Mr. Hubbel taught in the 



30 History of Cotner Umversity 

After two years as president of Fairfield, Mr. Hemry 
resigned on account of lack of harmony with certain 
members of the faculty. He was succeeded by W. P. 
Aylsworth, a graduate of Bethany College, West Vir- 
ginia.^ Before coming west. Professor Aylsworth had 
gained considerable prominence as a Christian preacher 
in Ohio, his last pastorate being at Columbus. He had 
already been at Fairfield College one year as instructor 
in the Biblical department previous to the call to the 
presidency. As an interpreter of the Bible, Professor 
Aylsworth had already created attention ; and he later 
became one of the best teachers of the Bible in the 
west. At the close of two years service as president, 
Professor Aylsworth accepted a position in Cotner Uni- 
versity, thus leaving Fairfield College again without a 
leader. 

Professor O. C. Hubbel served during the year 1888, 
as acting president when Thomas L. Fowler, a Can- 
adian by birth but a graduate of Bethany College, West 



public schools of Sutton and Hastings. Since 1904 he has been 
engaged in the milling business at Deweese, Nebr. The year 
1915-'16, Mr. Hubbel spent in California, in the land of roses 
and sunshine. 

iWilliam Prince Aylsworth was born in Cuba, 111., Dec. 12, 
1844. He was reared upon a farm and attended the country 
schools. He was prepared for college in Wauconda Academy. 
After teaching for several years, attaining the rank of prin- 
cipal in the high school, he entered Chicago University. He 
finished his sophomore year and then entered Bethany College, 
West Virginia where he received his A. B. degree in 1869. Later 
he received the A. M. from the same institution. Mr. Ayls- 
worth now entered the regular work of the ministry, serving 
important churches at South Bend, Angola, Union City and Fort 
Wayne, Indiana, and Columbus, Ohio. A fever quite common 
in those days, now took possession of him; it was expressed in 
"go west, young man, go west," so in 1886 he came to Fairfield, 
Nebr., where he served the church and college for three years. 
For the past twenty-seven years his name has been insepar- 
ably linked with the history of Cotner University. Few men 
connected with the Christian church and educational movement 
in the central west are held in higher esteem than William P. 
Aylsworth. 



The Decline of Fairfield College 31 

Virginia in 1880, was called to the leadership of Fair- 
field College. His success in the ministry in Canada 
had been marked. He was also an educator of rare 
type, but he remained with the school for only two 
years. ^ 

Although Mr. Hubbel had asked to be relieved, he 
was again persuaded to accept the presidency of Fair- 
field College. Much gratitude is due him for his faith- 
fulness and constancy. He was the only person con- 
nected with the school from its beginning to its end. 
A kindly, helpful spirit was always shown which won 
the respect and esteem of all who came into his class- 
room or into his presence. 

Many of the other teachers of Fairfield College are 
deserving of special mention. A. M. Chamberlain, a 
graduate of Butler College, Indianapolis, Indiana, was 
the first professor of mathematics ; he was succeeded 
by A. J. Mercer, a present member of the faculty of 
the Kearney State Normal. Miss Cora Clark followed 
Mrs. C. W. Hemry as instructor in Latin. Each was 
a thorough and devoted teacher. Miss Clark was a 
graduate of Oberlin College, Ohio. Professor L. W. 
Smith, one of the early graduates of Fairfield, later 
became one of its best teachers. At present he is a 
professor in Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, 



iThomas L. Fowler was born in Yarmouth, Ontario, Canada, 
in 1851. At the age of twenty-four he entered the Collegiate 
Institute of St. Thomas where he spent three years. In 1880 
he was graduated from Bethany College, West Virginia, with 
the A. B. degree. Later he received the A. M. from a Canadian 
college. His life has been given to the work of the ministry 
and to Christian education. After nine years of successful min- 
istry in Ontario he was called to the presidency of Fairfield. 
Upon leaving Fairfield College he returned to Ontario, preach- 
ing for the church at London. In 1895 the Christian churches of 
Ontario established a Bible college. For nine years Mr. Fowler 
served as president. Many ministers have received their train- 
ing here. Mr. Fowler now resides at West Larne. 



32 History of Cotner Unive'^sity 

Simpson Ely, for a time head of the Bible depart- 
ment, was a former president of Christian University, 
Canton, Missouri. A number of others might be 
named. It is sufficient to say that all held degrees 
from creditable schools and that the teaching staif was 
above the average. 

The faculty maintained careful oversight over its 
students. Its policy was "to aid the student in forming 
good habits ; to teach him self-reliance and self-gov- 
ernment."^ In case of necessity the faculty was em- 
powered to "suspend, dismiss or expel." No special 
rules had been formulated because of the good moral 
influence surrounding the school. All students were 
required to attend chapel and advised to attend on 
Sunday, one of the five churches located within the 
town. 

The first graduate of Fairfield College was J. W. 
Elliott in the year 1889. Among the other graduates 
may be named Sherman Hill, E. von Forell, Dr. Earl 
Boyd, V. G. Shirley, L. W. Smith, Frank F. Johnson, 
T. H. Beali and J. R. Teagarden. 

Fairfield College, like many other denominational 
schools of the early period, was doomed to failure. 
Undertakings of a philanthropic nature have always 
had a struggle for existence. The land belonging to 
Fairfield College was platted in August, 1884. Many 
lots were sold, but not enough to pay the original pur- 
chase price of $10,500, and furnish in addition a cash 
fund of any importance. By the year 1892, the finan- 
cial condition of the college was serious. The following 
statement is found in the report of the secretary for 
that year : "Owing to the close times for the past two 
years our hopes in regard to finances were not fully 
realized, but with the return of prosperity throughout 



L Annual catalogue Fairfield College. 



The Decline of Fairfield College 33 

the state the outlook is much better.'*^ Unfortunately 
they were mistaken for prosperity in any permanent 
form had not returned. The hardest years were to 
come after 1892. However, they were able to reduce 
the debt from $13,000 to $10,000 in 1893. The years 
1893 to 1896 were ones never to be forgotten by those 
who experienced them. Crop failures and financial 
depression were almost too much for the struggling 
school and soon it was compelled to borrow $10,000 
from the Nebraska Loan and Trust Company of Has- 
tings, Nebraska. This company took a mortgage upon 
the building, campus and several lots belonging to the 
college. Besides the campus, the college still owned 
two hundred town lots and eighty-eight one-acre tracts. 
But there was no sale for them. The great land 
''boom" was over. It would have been easy for the col- 
lege to have met its obligations if it could have sold 
its lots at even a low price. 

Another hindrance to continued success was found 
in the fact that Cotner University had been established 
in 1889, and was already beginning to overshadow 
Fairfield College. The enrollment had greatly declined 
as there were only sixty-seven in all departments. Con- 
ditions gradually grew worse until in 1899 the mort- 
ga2:e was foreclosed and Fairfield College ceased to 
exist. 

The promoters of Fairfield did not give up without 
a struggle. In 1896, Mr. T. J. Williamson was em- 
ployed to have complete oversight and management of 
the college ; but for some reason he left without notice. 
The management was then placed in the hands of 
Virgil G. Shirley, E, E. Boyd and Prof. C. H. Beall. 
These young men managed the school in a very skillful 
way. E. von Forell was acting as Fairfield's financial 
agent. By 1897, the Loan and Trust Company offered 



^Nebraska Christian Missionary Society report 1892. 



o 



4 History of Cotner University 



to accept $8,000 for their $10,000 claim. It was to be 
paid on the installment plan ; $1500 to be paid October 
1, 1897, and a second payment October 1, 1898, of 
$1500. A new loan was to be made for the balance as 
follow^s : $3,000 to be secured by a mortgage on the 
college and campus ; $1,000 payable at the end of each 
of three, four and five years. The last $2,000 was se- 
cured by giving a mortgage upon the land, the amount 
to be payable within five years. All loans were to draw 
six per cent interest. It seemed that the above terms 
would surely make possible the redemption of the 
school. If the college could sell its two hundred lots 
at $30 each and the eighty-eight one-acre lots at $50 
each it would amount to $10,400. But all plans, hopes 
and dreams failed and Fairfield college had to be aban- 
doned. 

Several times attempts v/ere made to unite Fairfield 
College and Cotner University under the same gov- 
erning body. The feeling between the two schools 
was always more or less strained. The Trustees of 
Cotner University felt that the Fairfield authorities 
wanted far too much for their property. Finally, at 
the time when the union came nearest to consumma- 
tion, it was thwarted by plans made by certain mem- 
bers of the Fairfield Board of Trustees who decided to 
refuse to deed over the property. 

A history of Fairfield College would not be complete 
without paying a tribute to its principal founder, W. T. 
Newcomb and his devoted wife. Their names are 
worthy of being written among the heroes and heroines 
of any pioneer movement. Their unselfish devotion 
and cheerful sacrifices in both time and money are 
characteristic of their noble lives. 

Fairfield was not a modern college, as it did not use 
the methods nor did it have the equipment possessed 
by colleges to-day. No college of that period could 



The Decline of Fairfield College 35 

boast of being equal to those of the present time. It 
may safely be left to two of Fairfield's students to 
estimate the work done. 'The old school did not live 
in vain, many went out from its halls to render serv- 
ice and count for one in the world's activities."^ The 
other said, "The two years here were well spent. The 
instructors at the time were Professors Fowler, 
Hubbel, Mercer, Clark and Smith. Possibly there were 
not a hundred students enrolled, but there was good 
earnest work done and an interest and sympathj^ in 
every student's life that did much toward shaping their 
lives into future usefulness. "- 

The writer's search for facts has led him to have 
an interview by letter or person with each of Fairfield's 
four presidents but each time, it has to be confessed, 
that but little information has been received. Scarcely 
a written page recording the great mass of events that 
occurred during the fourteen years of its life is found. 
Upon visiting Mr. Hemry the information was obtained 
that for several years they had kept the catalogues, 
papers, etc., relative to the college but that in 1913, 
when they moved to Lincoln, they had been destroyed. 
Dr. Aylsworth said, 'T haven't a single thing, not even 
a catalogue." Thomas L. Fowler writes from his 
Canadian home that it is impossible to summarize the 
work done ''without more data than I have at my dis- 
posal." After writing three pages of a personal letter 
about the college. Professor Hubbel says, "I realize the 
above sketch is quite meager but so it must be for I 
have no records to help me." 

So we close our history of Fairfield, leaving many, 
many events to that great unlimited mass of unwritten 
history which has sunk into oblivion. 



iPersonal letter from E. von Forell, Scottsbluff, Nebr, 
-Personal letter from Elva Rulon Peru, Nebr. 



CHAPTER IV 

The Inception of Nebraska Christian University 
The first idea of Nebraska Christian University or- 
iginated as a purely business proposition. In the 
youthful days of Nebraska the speculative, venture- 
some side of man's nature was reaching out for big 
things. This new enterprise was not the product of 
one man's mind nor even of a group of men of the 
Christian church, but grew out of a desire, on the part 
of Lincoln business men, to have another college or 
university located in their rapidly grovvdng city. Dur- 
ing the year 1886, these business and real estate men 
offered two hundred acres of land to the people of the 
Baptist church provided they would erect an educa- 
tional institution upon the property. The committee, 
appointed by the Baptist church to consider this offer, 
decided that as they already had one college in the 
state, the founding of another would be impractical. 

The business men's proposition was now taken to 
Mr. J. Z. Briscoe,^ president of the Nebraska Christian 



iJoseph Z. Briscoe is of Pennsylvania origin, being born 
March 1, 1838. He received his education in the commion schools 
of his native state and later completed a course at Duffs Mer- 
chants College, Pittsburg. The principal of the school in Sept. 
29, 1855, recommends him in these words: ''It is due Mr. 
Briscoe to state that he possesses rare qualifications for busi- 
ness." In the early days he became a school teacher in Penn- 
sylvania, but began farming when he moved to Sarpy county, 
Nebr. He became county commissioner of this county and later 
held the same office in Lancaster county. For several years he 
was very successful in the boot and shoe business in Lincoln. 
For a time Mr. Briscoe was a member of the city council of 
Lincoln. A more active member of the Christian church in the 
early day could not be found. For years he was chairman of 
the board of the First Christian church of Lincoln and was 
chairman of the committee that erected the memorable first 
church building. Later he was a member of the building com- 



Inception of Nebraska Christiayi University 37 

Missionary Society and a prominent member of the 
Christian church, asking that he present it to that re- 
ligious body. Probably it did not show as great wis- 
dom as did the Baptist church when it declined the 
offer because it already had one college in Nebraska. 
Fairfield Normal and Collegiate Institute was under 
the direction of the Christian church ; but as already 
noted, there was considerable feeling of dissatisfaction 
with its location, especially by the members of the 
church in the vicinity of Lincoln. This marked the 
beginning of strife between two factions of the Chris- 
tian church. Bitter feeling was thus aroused which 
may occasionally be seen although more than a 
quarter of a century has passed. 

Mr. Briscoe felt that the suggested proposition would 
receive favorable consideration from the Christian 
church ; hence he took it upon himself, as president of 
the missionary society, to appoint a committee to in- 
vestigate the whole matter and report to the next 

mittee for the beautiful claurcli in Bethany. Almost continu- 
ously during his life Mr. Briscoe has taught a Bible school class. 
For seven years he was president of the Nebraska Christian 
Missionary Society. Because of his energy and good judgment 
Mr. Briscoe was able to amass a considerable fortune at one 
time. This was all swept away in the crisis of the nineties. Mr. 
E. E. Brown, cashier of the Columbus National Bank of Lin- 
coln, writes as follows of Mr. Briscoe in 1897: "For several 
years past Mr. Briscoe has been identified with Cotner Univer- 
sity near this city. To the upbuilding of this university he has 
spent most of his time and nearly, if not quite his entire for- 
tune which I have heard estimated at from $50,000 to $75,000. 
I am told that this university is at present greatly in need of 
financial aid to prevent it from being sacrificed. This is due 
to the great depression in land values and financial stringency 
rather than to mismanagement. I give it as my opinion that if 
all the people who profess to take a great interest in this uni- 
versity had supported it with the zeal and energy and given to 
it the same financial aid which Mr. Briscoe has, the institution 
would today be in a flourishing condition." At present Mr. 
Briscoe is a respected and honored citizen of Bethany, Nebr., 
still keenly interested in the welfare of the town and the 
college. 



38 History of Cotner University 

annual convention of the society.^ The Nebraska 
Christian Missionary Society is the advisory body of 
the Christian churches of the state; and each year at 
its annual convention outlines the general program for 
the succeeding months. The proposition of the Lin- 
coln business men was not presented in time for the 
making of a thorough investigation but it was able to 
report that the proposition seemed worthy of further 
consideration. A recommendation was also made that 
a permanent committee of seven be appointed vested 
with power to receive and accept propositions, to in- 
corporate and to found a college if it was deemed wise. 
This meant that if such a recommendation be passed 
by a vote of the missionary society, the committe of 
seven men had authority to erect another college build- 
ing and maintain another school in Nebraska under 
the direction of the Christian church. At first it was 
not heartily endorsed by all members of the convention. 
It "called forth quite a spirited discussion"- in which 
men of prominence took part ; among whom were W. P. 
Aylsworth, then president of Fairfield College, and 
W. T. Newcomb, who had been the leading factor in 
its establishment; R. C. Barrow, for twenty years a 
pioneer preacher and evangelist; and E. T. Gadd of 
Omaha. Despite some opposition and ill-will, at first, 
it was unanimously passed and the committee of seven 
appointed.-' 

On September 7, 1887, the first meeting of the uni- 
versity committee was called. The ofl^icers named were 
J. Z. Briscoe, chairman, and Porter Hedge, secretary. 



iC. C. Munson was chairman. Other members of the com- 
mittee are not known. 

-Nebraska Christian Missionary Society report for 1887. 

•^The seven men appointed to act as the university committee 
were: J. Z. Briscoe, Porter Hedge, G. E. Biglow and J. B. John- 
son of Lincoln; W. P. Aylsworth of Fairfield, E. T. Gadd of 
Omaha and W. W. West of Unadilla. 



Inception of Nebraska Christian University 39 

It vvas decided to meet the men representing the pros- 
pective donors of land at the Windsor Hotel that after- 
noon. Following a short discussion, carriages were 
secured and all drove to the proposed site known as 
the Hawley farm, where the rest of the afternoon 
was spent viewing the land. Nothing was agreed upon 
as the university committee felt it was necessary to 
secure more land. 

It was only after the lapse of several months, dur- 
ing which time offers Vv^ere made and rejected, that a 
donation of three hundred and twenty-one acres and 
eighteen lots (valued at $4,000) of land was accepted.^ 
George E. Bieelow has the distinction of having made, 
on January 23, 1888, the motion "that the committee 
locate the university upon the southeast one-fourth 
of section sixteen, township ten, north of range seven, 
easto"- Thus was the location determined and the 
plan launchedo The beautiful building which was to 
mean so much to many a youth was still vague in the 
minds of the promoters. Little did they realize how 
mxUch of success and failure was to attend their cher- 
ished plans. The financial depression of the nineties 
was unforeseen. It was better that those so interested 



iThe list of donors with amounts given is as follows: W, H. 
Goodrich. 20 acres; W. Lennard, 10 acres; A. J, Cropsy, 85 acres; 
W. Ruliffson, 12^9. acres; L. Leavitt 15 acres; C. M. Leighton, 
10 acres; W. W. Webster, 10 acres; Stevens & Glade, 10 acres; 
J. Z. Broscoe, 10 acres; U. Young, 10 acres; W. S. Mills, 10 acres: 
L, Morgan, 15 acres; L. G. Leavitt, 5 acres; Havelock owners, 
10 acres; Dr. Paine, 23 V2 acres; T. F. Barnes, 15 acres; Bond 
& Colby, 10 acres; Mrs. Boyd, 5 acres; F. M. Horsford, 5 acres; 
C. F. Goodman, 10 acres; Melick and McClay, 20 acres. In ad- 
dition to this acreage there were 18 lots valued at $4,000. 

^Record Book of Board Proceedings, np. 23, 

Note — The record book containing all the proceedings of the 
Board of Trustees of Cotner University to 1896 is in the pos.- 
session of J. Z. Briscoe and is the chief source from which much 
of the information for the early history has been secured. It 
will hereafter be referred to as Record Book of Board Proceed- 
ings. 



40 History of Cotner TJniversity 

in the new enterprise were unable to look down the 
vista of time and see all of its struggles, for it would 
have brought discouragement and prevented their 
planning and working with such undiminished zeal. 

Up to this time these seven men were only a com- 
mittee representing the Nebraska Christian Missionary 
Society; but they had been given power to form an 
educational corporation. Porter Hedge, who was a 
lawyer, drew up articles of incorporation which were 
accepted. Thereafter the business vv^as to be carried 
on by a Board of Trustees consisting of twelve per- 
sons, a majority of whom must be members of the 
Christian church and elected by the missionary society. 

The founders of this movement were all well-mean- 
ing Christian men. Perhaps in some instances they 
were not as wise and far-sighted from a business 
standpoint as they should have been; yet they were 
anxious to establish a worthy institution to be guided 
by worthy Christian men and women. They stated 
in the articles of incorporation ''that all property 
which may be held by said Board of Trustees shall 
be held in behalf of the Christian church of Nebraska 
and shall be devoted to educational purposes and not 
for individual profit."^ It is also interesting to note 
that — perhaps as a safeguard against undue specula- 
tion — the Board of Trustees limited the indebtedness 
upon university property, to a sum not to exceed 
$50,000. 



iRecord Book of Board Proceedings, page 3 in Articles of In- 
corporation. 



CHAPTER V 

The Laying of the Cornerstone 
While progress had been made, the goal was still 
in the distance. The university building must be 
planned and the town laid out. As the eye of the new 
owners viewed the great donation of land, in the past 
and even then, a great corn field, it led the Board of 
Trustees to choose its highest point, upon which to 
locate the coveted structure. Twenty acres of land 
were reserved for a campus. It was decided that the 
foundation should be commenced before the first day 
of May, 1888. Mr. 0. H. Placey of Chicago, who a 
little earlier had been a competitor for a similar posi- 
tion in connection with Nebraska Wesleyan University, 
was chosen as architect and general superintendent. 
One thousand dollars was the consideration to be paid 
Mr. Placey. The construction of the building was to 
be a ''first class stone foundation and basement ; walls 
to be faced with Milwaukee or St. Louis pressed brick 
and a slate roof ."^ The building was to be four stories 
high above the basement. 

The home of the university was to be called ''Bethany 
Heights" in honor of Bethany College in West Virginia, 
the oldest educational institution of the Christian 
church. "Old Bethany" was the pivot around which 
the efforts of this new religious organization centered. 
It was the home of Thomas and Alexander Campbell, 
who had sounded the keynote upon which the church 
was founded in 1809. It was only natural that those 
founding a university in the new west should have a 
kindly feeling for the old land marks and a fond desire 
that this new institution might prosper as had the old. 
The main street of Bethany Heights was named in 



iRecord Book of Board Proceedings, pp. 31. 



42 Histoiy of Cotner University 

honor of ex-Governor Alvin Vv^. Saunders. It was one 
hundred feet wide, extending along the west side of 
the campus and through the entire donation received 
by the university committee. A unique idea was car- 
ried out in naming other streets after the various col- 
leges of the Christian church, and to-day a map of the 
town would show that the streets or avenues are called 
Drake, Fairfield, Hiram, Eureka, Butler, Canton, Gar- 
field and Lexington. 

A new task now presented itself to the promoters. 
People must be interested in this undertaking. This 
field must undergo a complete change. These lots 
must be sold and homes erected upon them. 

That great interest was taken in this nevs^ educa- 
tional movement is proved by the fact that the State 
Missionary Convention of August 30, 1888, went in a 
body to the proposed location to assist in laying the 
cornerstone of the university. The religious motive, 
which prompted the movement, the events of the day 
and the dreams of the supporters of the undertakng 
are described in these words : ''This being university 
day at 10 a. m. the people gathered at the corner of 
and Eleventh streets to take the carriages that had 
been provided, while at least two hundred boarded the 
Missouri Pacific train leaving at 10:25 for Newman 
station, arriving there after a pleasant ride of a few 
minutes. The station is three quarters of a mile from 
the campus. The walk was not at all unpleasant even 
if the mercury was peeping out of the top of the tube, 
and many of the gentlemen pushed ahead, while the 
ladies waited the arrival of carrias^es and two im- 
mense hay waeons that were pressed into service. It 
was nearly 12 o'clock before the last carriage arrived 
from the city, and the early comers were given a good 
oDportunity to examine the campus and the surround- 
ing property. 



The Laying of the Cornerstone 43 

There is nothing startling in Nebraska scenery but 
many hilltops disclose views of surprising beauty. The 
committee selected such an elevation for the site of the 
universit}^ The campus is a beautiful slope, with the 
building on the highest point. From the foundation 
walls the observer can look over the corn that covers 
the campus in front of the proposed building, and a 
wide scope of country is seen. The c?ty is plainly in 
sight directly in front; the Capitol, the church spires, 
the Burr block and the State University cutting the 
horizon line and coming prominently into view. Di- 
rectly west, the buildings of West Lincoln appear like 
children's blocks laid on a stretch of prairie so far 
away that it is covered with a light haze. To the 
left are the gently rolling hills covered with tasseled 
corn with ragged yellow lines indicating where the 
roads are, and here and there a solid field of smiling 
sunflowers. Over the low swell on the northwest can 
be seen the black slate roof of the Wesleyan Univer- 
sity, a sister to the institution now rising on this spot. 
To the right and in the rear are hills that cut off the 
view on a small arc of the circle of horizon that sweeps 
around so many miles away, but from, the upper win- 
dows of the building the view will extend unbroken in 
every direction. 

It is an ideal location for a Christian University, 
The city, four miles away, is easily accessible by steam 
cars, and will soon be reached by a horse car line. 
There is pure water in abundance. The campus is sur- 
rounded by residence lots that will tempt many to 
make their homes here. The future of this Christian 
and educational suburb is certainly bright. 

A few blocks north of the building is a grove and 
here, the principal exercises of the day were held. 
Three or four hundred persons were here at noon, 
when lunch was spread on tables under the trees. 



44 History of Cotner University 

Seats and shade were plentiful and the people enjoyed 
themselves in picnic fashion for several hours. 

The exercises opened shortly after one o'clock with 
the singing of hymns and prayer by W. T. Maupin of 
Hastings. B. J. Radford^ of Eureka, 111., was then an- 
nounced for the principal address of the day. He out- 
lined the object of the gathering, which was primarily 
to lay the cornerstone of a great university, and asked 
why it was necessary, in view of the excellent edu- 
cational advantages enjoyed by the city of Lincoln, to 
plant the new university. The speaker then proceeded 
to give briefly and pointedly the need of the Christian 
college that had been founded. The need primarily was 
stated to be the necessity for fostering the public and 
private conscience. Will secular education develop the 
needed conscience? This education without other aids 
will not fulfill the real mission of education. A non- 
sectarian college diploma is, after all, a very unsatis- 
factory indication that the possessor has a good moral 
character ; it does not indicate what his religion is ; it 
tells nothing except that the young man has gone 
through a little intellectual gymnastics. More than this 
is needed. We need a distinctly Christian education 
for our young men and women. Secular education has 
had its day. One generation of it has proven that it 
is inadequate to the task of making strong and vigor- 
ous Christian character. Culture is all right. It should 
be made the hand-maid of religion. But secular culture 
is a broken reed to lean upon. When we lean upon 
that we put in the backe-round moral culture. This 
WH'^ "nroven in tVie mind of the speaker by the history 
of his native city of Cincinnati, which banished the 
Bible frorn fi^p^ public ^'"hools a ffenpration asfo and is 
now seeing the bad effects that followed the banish- 



lAssociate editor of the "Christian Standard," published in 
Cincinnati. Ohio. 



The Laying of the Cornerstone 45 

ment of God from education. What should we base our 
intellectual culture upon. The Bible. * * * You are 
making no mistake in making the Bible the cornerstone 
of this university."^ 

The crowning event of the day was the laying of the 
cornerstone. This was done in a verj^ fitting manner. 
A copper box had been secured which was to be placed 
in the cornerstone, containing a number of articles, 
among which were the daily papers of the city, the 
religious papers of the denomination and catalogues 
from colleges of the Christian church. Prior to this 
time we might call this whole movement a dream. 
From now on it was a reality. The town was named, 
the streets laid out and the Nebraska Christian Mis- 
sionary Society, which was the governing power, had 
sanctioned the movement by their presence in a body 
and had assisted in laying the cornerstone. Would the 
dream be a complete realization? 



iProceedings of the 21st Annual Christian Missionary Con- 
vention August, 1888, page 29. 



CHAPTER VI 

The City of Lincoln 

A history of Cotner Universitj^ would be incomplete 
unless it contained a brief account of the beginnings 
and early growth of the city of Lincoln. The village 
of Bethany being virtually a part of Lincoln, its 
growth was dependent for the most part upon the 
city's progress. A brief account of Lincoln's early 
history will also make clearer the answers to some of 
the questions arising in the minds of those unfamiliar 
with such knowledge. Some of these questions are: 
What was the object of the donors in giving three hun- 
dred and twenty-one acres of land in order to have 
another university in Lincoln w^hen the Nebraska State 
and the Nebraska Wesleyan universties were already 
located in the city ? Was the Nebraska Christian Mis- 
sionary Society wise in permitting two educational in- 
stitutions to be maintained in the same state ? Did Lin- 
coln have greater possibilities than Fairfield? Was 
the board of trustees of Cotner University unduly in- 
fluenced by the spirit of speculation or was poor judg- 
ment used in calculating land values ? 

Mr. W. W. Cox, a pioneer of Lancaster county, des- 
cribes the place where the future city was to be as he 
saw it in 1861 when he was making his first trip west 
from Nebraska City. He says, ''On the second day of 
July, 1861, we followed a dim track down — to Lincoln? 
— no; to Lancaster? — no, but down Salt Creek to the 
mouth of Oak Creek, where we forded the stream. 
There was at that time a magnificent grove of honey 
locust timber on the west side of Salt Creek and just 
south of Oak Creek; and a little to the south of the 
foot of the present day street, at the large bend of 



The City of Lincoln 47 

the creek, there were perhaps a hundred majestic elms 
and cottonwoods, with here and there a hackberry and 
honey locust. Those lovely groves would now, if they 
coulcl have remained in their natural grandeur and 
beauty as we saw them, be of priceless value to the 
city for a park. " * * It brings peculiar thoughts to 
mind as we look around us now and consider the 
changes that twenty-six years have wrought. 

One dim track only, crossed the site of the future 
city from east to west, that had been made by hunters 
and salt pilgrims, and the one already mentioned run- 
ning up and down the creek. As we viewed the land 
upon which nov/ stands this great busy city, we had 
the exciting pleasure of seeing for the first time a large 
drove of the beautiful antelope cantering across the 
prairie about where the government square (now) is."^ 

The first industry of Lincoln possessed a sufficient 
am.ount of savoring qualities to have been preserved 
until the present time, nevertheless it has long since 
ceased to exist. Mr. Cox tell in a unique way of his 
experience in the salt industry: "In company with 
Darwin Peckham (now of Lincoln) we commenced 
making salt on the 20th day of August, 1861. We pre- 
empted one of the log cabins and ''bached" it during 
the fall Salt vv^as very scarce during war times, and 
was high in price, and of a necessity great numbers of 
peoDle came to scrape salt. They came from all the 
settled portions of the territory; from. Kansas, Miss- 
ouri and as far east as central Iowa. * * * Going for 
salt in those days was like going fishing — it was all in 
luck. If the weather were perfectly dry, they could 
get Dlenty of it, for it could be scraned up by the wagon 
load, but three minutes rain would end the game. We 



iHistory of Sew?ird Connty. NebT*, bv W. W. Cox. This history 
wss published in 1888. Mr. W. W. Cox was one of the pioneer 
settlers of Lancaster county and later of Seward county. 



48 History of Cotner University 

have seen a drove of men that came a full hundred 
miles arrive just in time to see a little rain clear all the 
salt off the basin in a moment, and they left to hold 
an empty sack. We found a goodly number there when 
we arrived and they were holding the empty sack, for 
it had just rained and the basin was as black as ink. * * 
We immediately built a small furnace, made a sheet- 
iron salt pan and began boiling salt, and by the time 
the next drove of pilgrims came we had salt to sell or 
trade them. * * * When the weather was dry many 
would scrape more than they could haul home and we 
would trade for their scrapings at twenty-five cents 
per hundred and pay in boiled salt at two dollars per 
hundred. In drj^ times we would accumulate a moun- 
tain of scraped salt, and as soon as the first rain came 
our scrapings would be worth fifty cents to one dollar 
per hundred. Pilgrims would grab for it. They 
brought all manner of provisions to trade for salt — 
meat, flour, chickens, butter, fruit, potatoes, eggs. * '^ * 
A party brought two four-horse w^agon loads (five 
thousand pounds) of flour from Winterset, Iowa, and 
we made an even exchange of five thousand pounds of 
salt for it. It was a lively time for hundreds were com- 
ing and going continually during the fall." 

Civilization was moving westward. Omaha and Ne- 
braska City were destined not to be the only towns of 
importance in Nebraska but to have a rival located on 
Salt Creek. The founding of the city is vividly des- 
cribed by Mr. Cox, who tells of the arrival on July 4, 
1862, of "Elder J. M. Young and party consisting of 
Rev. Peter Schamp, Dr. McKesson, Mr. Warnes, Luke 
Lavender and Jacob Dawson. They were in search 
of a suitable location for a colony. They were patriotic 
and had not forgotten the flag. Dinner was quickly 
provided and disposed of, the neighbors called in, and 
we had a celebration that was a feast to the soul. As 



The City of Lincoln . 49 

the dear old elder talked to us of our blessed flag, and 
how it had been trailed in the dust by recreant hands 
and the mighty struggle that was going on to maintain 
its supremacy, our hearts swelled with emotion as we 
realized that our country and our all were at that 
moment trembling in the balance. This was probably 
the first time that our national flag ever kissed the 
breezes of Lancaster county and it was an occasion long 
to be remembered by all the participants. 

In the second week in July, and after making a 
thorough examination of the surrounding country, the 
party made settlement on the land where Lincoln now 
stands and dedicated a portion of section twenty-two 
for a town site and christened it ''Lancaster." Lan- 
caster did not grow as more modern towns do. A few 
settlers began to arrive and settle on the beautiful lands 
in the vicinity but not many cared to try their hand at 
building a city just then. Town-building was a slow 
process in those days so far inland." 

Two reasons may be given for this slow growth of 
Lancaster. First it was still questionable whether the 
upland prairie was valuable for agriculture or not. 
All farming was done on the creek bottom. Great fires 
sweeping across the country would leave the grass 
roots exposed to the scorching sun of late autumn and 
the frosts of winter. For the next few years the grass 
crop would be scanty. People not knowing or under- 
standing the cause, thought the soil not fertile. The 
second cause is found in the lack of railroads. St. 
Joseph, Missouri and Ottumwa, Iowa, were the nearest 
railway terminals. But the bill for the Union Pacific 
was passed in 1862 ; and all were awaiting with eager- 
ness the arrival of the first road. 

Indeed this was a meager, insignificant beginning for 
a future capital city. But let us leave the prairie ham- 
let located near the great salt basin, the goal of hear- 



50 History of Cotner University 

say ; leave it amid the vastness of a new country ; leave 
it to unlock nature's storehouse and grow ; grow for a 
quarter of a century and then take our second view. 

From this trivial settlement in the wilderness^ with- 
out trade or developed resources there was built a city 
whose property was estimated at $50,000,000 in 1889. 
There were now four railway systems entering the city. 
Seventy manufacturing industries were flourishing. 
Church property was worth a half million. The State 
Capitol, penitentiary, insane asylum and State Univer- 
sity were all located here. 

Some of the past accomplishments and future expec- 
tations are given by Messrs. Hayes and Cox in their 
History of Lincoln. 'The future of Lincoln is fully 
equal to that of Omaha and it is a possibility, that may 
yet be realized, that Lincoln will outstrip Omaha on ac- 
count of commercial superiority. To supply this com- 
mercial empire (which had been outlined) there is a 
perfectly legitimate reason why Lincoln's jobbing trade 
should grow and it has grown, there being sixty-eight 
wholesale houses in the city now and four hundred 
traveling men make Lincoln their home. Lincoln's 
manufacturing interests require her to grow. There 
is a call for vast supplies of all ordinary manufactures 
and the city must grow to keep up with this demand. 
In keeping with this demand seventy factories are now 
operated in Lincoln. On this account alone there will 
be a call for a city larger than Lincoln at the hub of 
the main railroad system of this splendid territory. 
Then the railroad interests require a city at this place 
and those who think Lincoln will stop growing should 
remember one fact, viz : the railroad system of Ne- 
braska is cast for all time in favor of Lincoln and in- 
stead of the city failing, there is reason to believe that 
on this account alone, reliance may be placed for long 
continued advancement. The roads have reason to 



. The City of Lincoln 51 

push the city and they will do it. At the rate the 
city is now advancing and has gone forward for several 
years it will contain 125,000 inhabitants before the 
close of the next decade." 

Lincoln had enjoyed a phenomenal growth. But as 
we read these statements and ponder over this brief 
sketch we instinctively feel that the hopes of the peo- 
ple of Lincoln were too great for immediate realiza- 
tion. A spirit of too great enthusiasm and hopefulness 
often leads to speculation. It causes men to misjudge 
values and reach too far. If this spirit entered into 
the transactions of the founders of Christian univer- 
sity, to a slight degree but not to a danger point, they 
were only acting according to the dictates of their 
environment. The same spirit had played a part in 
every educational enterprise for twenty-five years. It 
Avas the same spirit that prompted the business and 
real estate men to offer a donation of land to any who 
would agree to erect a university upon it. Although 
there were already two universities in their midst, 
they felt another would increase the population, attract 
more business and enhance property values. 'To found 
a university seems to have been the highest ambition 
of many of Nebraska's earliest politicians, and to be- 
com.e the home of a great educational institution, the 
goal for which nearly all of her earliest towns strove 
earnestly and welL"^ Not only was speculation a char- 
acteristic of Lincoln, but indeed of the entire United 
States, particularly of the west. The west was new 
and abounding in possibilities which were visible to 
all; yet nature requires time to produce a harvest. 
Wealth cannot be accumulated in a day; the prairie 
turned into an agricultural garden in a year; nor a 
city reared in a decade. The west would meet all 
expectations, but it required more time than men 



i*''History of Lincoln" by Hayes and Cox. 



52 History of Cotiier University 

thought. The inevitable result of this speculation was 
a crisis and it swept the United States in the nineties. 
Not only Cotner University and many other like insti- 
tutions, but thousands of industrial enterprises the 
country over were drawn into the maelstrom. As 
one looks back to the eighties and nineties he is 
apt to criticise for it is much easier to tell how past 
misfortunes might have been avoided than to tell what 
course to pursue in the unseen future. History is re- 
plete with experiences which should make us wiser 
than our forefathers. 

Attention may now be turned to a discussion of the 
other two questions, viz : Was the Nebraska Christian 
Missionary Society wise in permitting two educational 
institutions in the same state? Did Lincoln have 
greater possibilities than did Fairfield? 

Concerning these points four thoughts may be pre- 
sented to the reader. Religious bodies at this early 
period had not realized the necessity for concentrated 
effort upon one school in each state. For example the 
Methodists founded Simpson college in 1855, Oreapolis 
Seminary in 1857, York College in 1880, Central Col- 
lege in 1886. With all these schools. Rev. David Mar- 
quette says the tendency was ''to increase the number 
of struggling schools." Later it was seen that none 
could accomplish the end in view so a 'Tlan of Unifi- 
cation" was adopted in which it was decided to have 
''but one institution of college grade;" the "other 
schools should be parts of, but subordinate to, the cen- 
tral university." The central university was founded 
in 1888, being called Nebraska Wesleyan, located at 
Lincoln. There was still the idea of more than one 
educational institution. The Presbyterians had three 
schools in the state, viz : Bellevue, Hastings and Omaha 
Seminary. It is not at all strange, in view of these 



The City of Lincoln 53 

facts, that the Christian church considered the propo- 
sition of another university when the business men 
offered them this donation of land. 

In the second place it was not intended to withdraw 
any support from Fairfield Normal and Collegiate In- 
stitute. In an address delivered before the 20th an- 
nual convention of the Nebraska Misionary Society, 
R. C. Barrow emphasized this point: ''Among the 
contemplated enterprises looking to the advancement 
of our religious interests in the state, that will demand 
the consideration and action of this convention, is 
that of founding a university at Lincoln. It is believed 
by a number of brethren of excellent judgment in busi- 
ness matters that the offers made us by real estate 
owners in Lincoln will enable us to build and sustain 
a university at that point without expense to the broth- 
erhood. A committee selected by the state board will 
present the details for your consideration. This en- 
terprise is not intended to supplant, or in any way 
weaken the moral and financial support now given 
to the Fairfield Normal and Collegiate Institute, which 
we should heartily sustain and strengthen to the fullest 
extent of our ability."^ Mr. Barrow probably ex- 
pressed the opinion of many when he indicated that he 
thought the land donation would ''build and sustain a 
university." Their idea was a land endowment. At 
this same convention the college committee in its rec- 
ommendation emphasized the fact that they did not 
intend to withdraw any financial asistance from Fair- 
field: "We recommend also that in case any college 
or sj^stem of colleges be projected or established in the 
near or more remote future within our borders and 
under the auspices of the Nebraska Christian Mission- 



iMinutes of Nebraska Christian Missionary Society in Annual 
Convention assembled at Fairfield, Nebr., Aug. 30, 1887. 



.'54 History of Cotner University 

ary Convention, a sensitive regard be had to the moral 
obligation, financial and otherwise, which is owing to 
an institution already inaugurated, and that it be un- 
derstood that all such enterprises command their pro- 
portional share of the society's sympathy and sup- 
port." 

We have no desire in any way to discredit Fairfield ; 
yet, it was easily recognized at that early period, that 
Lincoln had greater commercial possibilities than Fair- 
field. It had a population of about 40,000 while Fair- 
field was still in the hundreds. Four railway systems 
entered the former while the latter was on branch lines. 
Lincoln was the capitol city and the home of other 
state institutions. Because of these advantages it na- 
turally attracted the university founders as a m.ore 
desirable place than Fairfield for a central institution. 
There was no idea of deserting Fairfield. 

The last thought is, that Lincoln was destined to 
become the educational center of the west Many con- 
ditions made this fact apparent. State institutions 
always create an educational environment. The phe- 
nomenal school growth was pointing in that direction. 
The first school, known as Stone Seminary, was held 
in 1866, in the days when Lincoln was called Lancas- 
ter. The building was located where the State Journal 
building now stands; only one room was completed in 
time for use that year and cloths and carpets were 
hung up all around to keep out winter's chilly breezes. 
About thirty pupils with W. H. Merrill as teacher held 
the first session of the first common school in Lincoln. 
The second session is described by Messrs. Hayes and 
Cox in their '^History of Lincoln," ''Early in 1867 Mrs, 
Merrill taught a term in Stone Seminary. She was a 
lady of a good academic education and could sing well 
besides. The directors were anxious to find a teacher 
and urged Mrs. Merrill to take the school. She said it 



The City of Lincoln 55 

was impossible as she had a baby only about a year 
old. The directors told her to take it to school with 
her and to this arrangement she finally consented. So 
Mrs. Merrill labored with the youth of Lancaster with 
a baby in her arms part of the time. She lived in one 
end of the building and John Montieth had a shoe shop 
in another part." Stone Seminary was to have a sad 
end as an educational institution. During the same 
year it caught fire as a result of a misconstructed flue 
and burned. 

This simple beginning seemed very far removed from 
a great educational center, but when one observes the 
system twenty-two years later, he notes a very differ- 
ent situation. The first State UniA^^ersity building was 
erected in 1871 costing $139,000. By 1889 a student 
body of five hundred was enrolled. A chemical labor- 
atory costing $35,000 had been recently built and ''has 
attracted the attention of educators all over the coun- 
try."^ The other buildings, "Memorial Hall" and 'Tn- 
dustrial Hall" costing $20,000 and $50,000 respectively 
were a credit to our state. Nebraska Wesleyan had 
just opened its doors and gave promise of future great- 
ness. The common and high school system were grow- 
ing and fairly satsifactory. No citj^ in the west could 
point to equal educational facilities. This was a cog- 
nizable fact. The Christian church, when given an 
opportunity to be a part of this educational center,, 
willingly accepted. 



iC. H. Gere in Cox's History of Soward County, pp. 217. 



CHAPTER VII 

The Promoters and Their Plan 
As has already been called to the attention of our 
reader, the task of establishing and maintaining a uni- 
versity was delegated to a Board of Trustees. The 
following men were its first members : 

Porter Hedge, Lincoln J. Z. Broscoe, Lincoln 

C. R. Van Duyn, Lincoln Ira Titus, Fairfield 

W. P. Aylsworth, Fairfield E. T. Gadd, Omaha 

Alvin Saunders, Lincoln C. J. Hale, Craig 

C. C. Munson, Lincoln John T. Smith, Nebr. City 

W. T. Newcomb, Fairfield Thomas Wiles,Plattsmouth 

The names of many of these men are familiar to 
members of the Christan church. 

There are four men to whom special credit should 
be given for their unstinted, untiring efforts in behalf 
of Christian University. These four are J. Z. Briscoe, 
who was chairman of the Board of Trustees, Porter 
Hedge, secretary ; C. R. Van Duyn, treasurer, and C. C. 
Munson. They did not seek personal power or repu- 
tation but in a quiet, unselfish, unassuming manner 
undertook the task of establishing an institution which 
should stand as a memorial dedicated to Christian edu- 
cation. 

The greater part of the actual work of getting the 
university under way was done bj^ the executive com- 
mittee consisting of those members of the Trustees 
who were residents of Lincoln; its actions, however, 
being ratified by the Board of Trustees when the latter 
met in regular session. The executive committee met 
in weekly, often in daily, consultation. 

Mr. J. Z. Briscoe presided over the first meeting of 
the university committee and alsp the last, which met 



The Promoters and Their Plan 



57 



October 15, 1896. For his services during these nine 
years, acting as chairman and performing not only 
the duties incumbent upon this office but also the in- 
numerable other tasks which of necessity fell to one 
in such a position, Mr. Briscoe deserves the greatest 
credit and praise. He was the real general of the 




J. Z. Briscoe 

movement. His courage and optimism, when others 
grew discouraged; his keen judgment, upon which 
all reliedj and his high Christian motives, all were 
worthy of emulation. 

Another person always ready to give assistance to 
any worthy cause was Porter Hedge. The magnani- 
mous spirit of this man prompted him to take from 
his business, the time necessary to act as secretary of 
the Board of Trustees. The record of the proceedings 



58 History of Cotner University 

of all its meetings is found in his handwriting. Mr. 
Hedge was a man of fine mental balance. He thought 
deliberately, but when he had formed an opinion he 
was very firm in his conviction. He was a tender, kind 
hearted man, always anxious to forward the cause of 
Christian education. 

Mr. C. R. Van Duyn, the treasurer, was a quiet, un- 
assuming man. All of the deeds, mortgages and notes 
were executed by him and he handled the entire cler- 
ical business in a very efficient manner, Mr. Van 
Duyn always tried to keep away from the ''public eye/' 
but was a man loved and admired by all who knew him. 
The First Christian church of Lincoln always num- 
bered him among its most earnest and faithful mem- 
bers. 

Mr. C. C. Munson was an ever-ready member of the 
hoard. His colleagues often spoke of him as 'Teter" 
because of this characteristic. Mr. Munson was en- 
gaged in the lumber business in Lincoln at the time 
Christian Unversity was established and with his 
knowledge of building materials and prices he gave 
great assistance to the enterprise.^ 

The above named men formed the executive commit- 
tee. The remaining members of the Board of Trus- 



iTliree of the four chief promoters of Cotner are still liv- 
ing. Mr. J. Z. Briscoe has a comfortable home in Bethany, 
in the shadow of the university which he helped to build. Porter 
Hedge is no longer numbered among the living. One Saturday 
evening he closed his office with every intention of returning 
on Monday morning. But shortly after he had retired he made 
a slight noise which awakened his wife. In response to her 
inquiry he said "I'll be better soon" and in just a few moments 
a life had flitted away. Mr. C. R. Van Duyn and wife are now 
located in that beautiful western city, Eugene, Ore. Here in 
peace and contentment they will probably ]ive until the close 
of their useful lives. Mr. C. C. Munson is living in Denver 
where he is engaged in the advertising business. Mr. and Mrs. 
Munson bid fair to celebrate their golden wedding in 1918. 



The Promoters and Their Plan 59- 

tees also deserve creditable mention. John T. Smith 
was one of the pioneer preachers and evangelists of 
the state. W. T. Newcomb and Ira Titus, residents of 
Fairfield, were made members of the board that some 
of the hostile feeling existing between the two schools 
might thus be allayed, but they opposed in numerous 
and various ways the plans and interests of the new 
school. C. J. Hale and Thomas Wiles were faithful 
members from the northeastern part of the state. E. 
T. Gadd, a member from Omaha, was one of the best 
and most widely known real estate men of the entire 
west. Ex-Governor Saunders, although a busy, pop- 
ular man, was one of the most zealous workers in be- 
half of Christian University during its early years. 
W. P. Aylsworth was one of the deliberate members of 
the board, whose counsel was often of great value. All 
of the trustees were members of the Christian church, 
very anxious to forward the educational interests of 
their denomination, willing to sacrifice much of their 
time for this cause, none of them ever receiving a 
salary. Each member of the board was elected for a 
term of three years. Messrs. Briscoe, Hedge and Van 
Duyn were the only ones, however, who served in that 
capacity during the entire nine years. 

Attention may now be turned from the men, to the 
plan of the university itself. No time was lost in the 



Mr. Munson has a reputation as poet. The following was writ- 
ten by him describing the state of his adoption: 

COLORADO 
Calling to the peoples of every clime 
Onward to valleys and scenes sublime, 
Lands and mines await their coming, 
On every hand success is humming — 
Rivers and lakes from melting snow 
Are ready to water the seeds they sow; 
Down in the mines await silver and gold, 
0, Colorado, thy wealth is untold! 



60 History of Cotnei' University 

discussion of methods, for it was generally understood 
that the same plan would be used as had been followed 
in many other like efforts, namely, to provide for the 
erection and maintenance of the university by the sale 
of lots. As is usually the case in retrospection, one is 
able to see places in which improvement might have 
been made. This is possible in a review of any en- 
terprise. All would admit that the lots must be sold 
in order that homes might be erected near the campus. 
Someone might suggest only the sale of alternate lots, 
but this would have had a retarding tendency, for it 
would have scattered the town, making practically im- 
possible such city improvements as sidewalks and water 
and sewerage systems. It is not the sale of lots which 
the review of the past questions, but the use of all the 
money derived therefrom. Instead of appropriating 
all of the money in the erection of the building it seems 
it would have been wiser to have reserved a part for 
an endowment. The money for building purposes 
could have been secured by subscriptions from those in 
most prosperous conditions. Then, v/hen the critical 
years came, a permanent source of income would have 
been available. Some feel that the money for a build- 
ing could have been raised at that time while others 
say it would have been impossible. It is easier, how- 
ever to look backward than forward. As the pro- 
moters looked backward they saw only the plan of lot 
sales as the one universally used in similar educational 
movements. As immediate examples, they had the cases 
of Doane, Hastings and Bellevue colleges and Nebraska 
Wesleyan University. The policy had even been used 
in the erection of the state capitol and other state 
buildings. 

Mr. E. T. Gadd of Omaha was now employed by 
the Board of Trustees to act as the university real 
estate agent. A man with a greater reputation in his 



The Promoters and Their Plan 



61 



line could not have been found in the west. The re- 
muneration to us today might seem excessive but a man 
of his ability could not be secured for less. They were 
to give 10% of all sales made, his work beginning in 
April, 1888. The lowest price at which any lot was 
offered was $100, and this was for lots situated on the 
outskirts of the new town. The more desirable lots 
near the campus were listed at from $250 to $400. 
The following is a copy of the outside cover of the first 
price list: 



AUGUST 

PRICE LIST 

BETHANY -:- HEIGHTS 

Lots 50x140 

Streets 60, 70 and 100 Feet 

Alleys 20 Feet 

Te7^ms~One-fourth cash, balance 
at 8 per cent interest or will ar- 
range with purchaser. Prices will 
be advanced 20% Sept. 1, 1888. 

For full particulars call on or 
address 

E. T. GADD & SON 

Sole Agents 



The first land was sold the day the State Mission- 
ary Society came in a body to Bethany Heights to as- 
sist in laying the corner stone. Lots v/ere sold at auc- 
tion, Col. C. C. Pace, the city's most noted auctioneer, 



62 History of Cotner University 

was in charge. The object in selling the lots in this 
way was two fold ; first, to establish a price ; and second 
to give them a ''start" on their land sale propaganda. 
Thirty-nine lots were disposed of during the day, the 
total receipts amounting to $8,315, or an average of 
$213.20 per lot.^ This was a good price, yet some felt 
they should have sold for more. 

Land sales were in harmony with the spirit of west- 
ern speculation. Everything started with a boom. 
Prices were advanced every few months in order to 
encourage immediate purchase, and many lots were 
sold. There were two distinct classes of purchasers; 
members of the Christian church, buying because of 
their desire to advance the cause of the church and 
the university, and others buying for the purpose of 
speculation. Many purchasers gave their personal 
notes. Later when the crisis wave of the '90's had 
finished its sweep across the entire country; when the 
speculative bubble had burst, and Lincoln and vicinity 
were returning to normal conditions. Investors found it 
difficult, and in cases impossible, to meet payments. 
Some became bitter enemies of the school, and were 
ready to act or speak in such manner as to help bring 
the school into severe financial straits. 



iTlie number who made final settlement for lots only took 
twenty-seven at $5,590. 

Proceedings of 22nd Annual Christian Missionary Convention,, 
pp. 50. 



CHAPTER VIII 

The Realization of the Dream 

The first step to be taken by the Board of Trustees 
in the erection of the university building, was the se- 
curing of a competent architect, who should have gen- 
eral supervision over the entire work of constructing 
the building. Propositions to this effect were sub- 
mitted by William Gray and O. H. Flacey. After a 
consideration of the plans, it was decided that the 
more suitable one for a university building was that 
of Mr. Placey. He was therefore employed and re- 
ceived one thousand dollars for his services. 

It was decided to begin the foundation before the 
first daj^ of May, 1888. A year had not yet elapsed since 
the July previous, in which J. Z. Briscoe, as chairman 
of the Nebraska Christian Missionary Society, had ap- 
pointed a committee, with C. C. Munson as chairman, 
to consider propositions for locating a Christian Uni- 
versity in Lincoln. In August of that same year the 
annual convention of the Missionary Society had rati- 
fied the movement and appointed the committee of 
seven; the gift of the donors had been accepted; arti- 
cles of incorporation had been drawn; the village had 
iDeen laid out and an architect employed. All was 
therefore in readiness for the foundation. Four con- 
tractors presented bids for the work. That of Thomas 
Price and Company for $11,572 was accepted. The 
last step was the erection of the superstructure. The 
contract was awarded to Chidister and Barras for 
$47,000 ; nine bids having been presented, ranging 
from $41,000 to $52,000. The total cost of the entire 
structure, when completed was $85,258.75. 

The basement and foundation were constructed of 



64 History of Cotner University 

first class stone with a wide cement base; the upper 
part of the building, consisting of four stories, was of 
Milwaukee pressed brick trimmed with red sandstone. 
The roof was of slate and above it towered the lofty 
spire reaching one hundred and thirty-five feet above 
the ground. The building contains thirty-two class 
rooms, seven office rooms for the president and pro- 
fessors ; a chapel having a seating capacity, with the 
gallerj^ of five hundred ; a reference library and large 
study room and spacious halls and stairways. 

As one views the building, situated on a rise of 
ground one hundred and fifty feet above the city, he is 
attracted by its beauty; architecturally it has no su- 
perior in the state. About $3,000 and much labor 
were expended in making the twenty-acre campus 
beautiful. Between six and eight hundred trees were 
purchased from ex-Governor Furnas for the orna- 
mentation of the campus. Mr. D. C. Mosher, a land- 
scape gardener, was employed for one year at $1200 
to plan and superintend the work of beautifying the 
university grounds. The campus was artistically di- 
vided into four parts by winding driveways and walks 
running from each corner of the campus to the build- 
ing. Skirting the campus and on either side of the 
driveways were set ash, hackberry, catalpas, locust and 
other trees. Triangular clumps of spruce were beau- 
tifully arranged about the terrace. As a result of their 
planning and work posterity has enjoyed a beautiful 
campus. 

The Trustees had secured the north half of block 
thirty-one for a dormitory site on which was now 
erected a structure costing $4,373.02 and containing 
sixteen rooms to be rented to ladies exclusively. Table 
board has always been furnished to both men and 
women at prices ranging from $1.50 to $2.50 per week. 

In order to attract residents to Bethany, the trus- 



The Realization of the Dream 65 

tees decided to erect in various parts of the town, 
thirteen dwelling houses at a total cost of $17,645. All 
of those north of where the Interurban Street Railway 
is now located, have since been moved away. In the 
east part, two still remain, the old Demarest home and- 
the B. F. Austin property. To the southeast, one is 
now owned by William Shuck. In south Bethany are 
the homes of J. J. Armstrong and James Tewksbury. 
Just west of the campus is one more, which is the 
home of W. E. Strain. The thirteen houses, together 
with ten more erected by J. Z. Briscoe, made a good 
start for the new town. 

The promoters were not satisfied with laying out the 
new town, the erection of the residence houses and the 
completion of the new university building. Their 
dream was not realized until school was actually be- 
gun. 

The trustees were undecided as to the advisability of 
opening the school in the fall of 1889. Invitations were 
sent to several of the prominent ministers of the state 
to m.eet with them in their regular session of April 16, 
1889 , After a deliberate discussion this motion was 
made by W. P. Aylworth and unanimously accepted: 
''Resolved that it is the sense of this meeting that we 
make a beginning of our school this fall, making such 
provision for instructors and courses of study as cir- 
cumstances may demand."^ A prospectus was imme- 
diately prepared and circulated extensively. An an- 
nouncement card was also sent out in the following 
form: 

Christian University -:- Bethany Heights 

The First Session of this new University begins 
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 1889. By this time the needed space 
in the university building for chapel and recitation 



iRecord Book of Board Proceedings, pp. 73. 



66 History of Cotner University 

rooms will be ready ; other members of the faculty will 
be chosen and rooms and boarding accommodations 
will be provided. The street car line is extended to- 
ward the university and preparations are being made 
to have everything ready for the reception of students 
For circulars, information, etc., address, 

J. Z. Briscoe, Pres. of Board, or 
Porter Hedge, Sec. of Board. 

Thus was the announcement made of the day which 
had been ardently wished for by those who had been 
instrumental in the creation of the new university. 
Their aim was clearly set forth in the prospectus. 
''Christian University, Lincoln, Nebraska, is the out- 
growth of a desire on the part of members of the 
Christian church to found there an institution of learn- 
ing which should be second to none in the west in abil- 
ity to confer a thorough and liberal culture and whose 
surroundings should be distinctly of a moral and re- 
ligious nature. It is their aim to offer the very best 
facilities for the study of the Bible and to give every 
possible advantage for young men desiring to study 
for the Christian ministry/' 

It was the wish of all to make the Bible the keynote 
of learning in their new university. The magnanimous 
spirit of J. Z. Briscoe prompted him to give $25,000 
for the endowment of a Bible chair. This gift was 
gladly accepted by the trustees as a great aid toward 
the realization of their original purpose. Mr. Briscoe 
offered this endowment in three forms from which the 
trustees should choose, viz : in Lincoln real estate, in 
notes amounting to $25,000 with good security and 
bearing 7% interest or sixty-five Bethany lots. The 
Bethany lots were chosen. The lots could be sold but 
the proceeds were to be placed in an endowment fund 
of which only the interest could be used. In appre- 
ciation of this generous gift, the department supported 



Tiie Healization of the Dream 67 

by it, was to be known as the ''Briscoe Bible Chair." 
This was a noble act on the part of Mr. Briscoe. Per- 
haps no man had a stronger desire to assist the youth 
of Nebraska in their quest for truth than he. Firm 
and outspoken in his opposition to infidelity, he was 
very anxious to foster true religion. Mr. Briscoe was 
given the privilege of naming the head of the depart- 
ment during his life. At death this right was to be 
granted to his wife or to his daughter. Miss Florence 
Briscoe. During the entire existence of the Briscoe 
Bible Chair it was ably occupied by Dr. W. P. Ayls- 
worth. 

During the first few years the new^ institution laid 
great emphasis upon the Bible as the g'reatest of text 
books. This was entirely natural. Among all people 
religious controversy was very intense. The promoters 
of the small college felt that the state schools and 
large institutions were places where infidelity was 
taught and encouraged. It was an epoch of religious 
debate and denominationalism. On the other hand, it 
was a period when some openly upheld infidelity. Peo- 
ple were roughly divided into two factions, the religious 
and non-religious. The former upheld the small col- 
lege, the latter the state institutions. The small col- 
le.ofe and its religious following charged the state school 
with infidelity, while they on their part were criticized 
for their lack of intellectuality, their small laboratories 
and libraries. 

In 1893, Porter Hedge said, "Education in secular 
schools has given us few persons thoroughly conse- 
crated to the work of the church, but rather has led 
them away from this work." A year later a similar 
idea was expressed by President Dungan : "Some way 
it has gotten into the minds of many persons that Cot- 
ner University is a kind of seminary whose ability is 
exhausted in preparing students for the State Univer- 



68 History of Cotner University 

sity. We ask such persons to compare the curriculums 
of Cotner and that of the State University. If they 
will, they will find that in literature and science they 
differ but little from that institution. Professor 
Harper, president of the University of Chicago, ac- 
cepts our graduates upon the same basis as those grad- 
uated from the State University." 




.lih-'-yif: x-"%:. 




Where School Began 

Christian University would have been impossible 
without this spirit of religious zeal. Otherwise stu- 
dents would have attended the State University be- 
cause of its better equipment and its freedom from 
tuition. In fact, if one removes the religious factor, 
the denominational college has little reason for exist- 
ence. The state school to-day is not pronounced in its 
opposition to the church, nor do those who hold relig- 
ious beliefs consider it the home of infidelity. 

Upon Tuesday, September 30, 1888, thirty young 



The Realization of the Dream 69 

people buoyant with anticipaton, cast a final look of 
scorn upon ignorance and turned in search of the hid- 
den treasures of knowledge. The university building 
was not completed until the new year, but school was 
begun in one of the residence houses built by the trus- 
tees, now known as the old ''Demarest home." Mr. 
Arthur Munson was the first young man to register, 
while Miss Alice Gadd (now Mrs. A. D. Harmon) has 
the distinction of being the first young ladj^ student. 

The day of greatest anticipation is the one upon 
which youth first crosses the threshold of college ; the 
four years spent therein are among the happiest of life ; 
the day of graduation among the saddest and loneliest ; 
for then one bids farewell to youth, to undertake the 
the tasks of men in a great, busy world. Goodbye is 
reverently spoken to college classmates and friends; 
the doors of the college to you are closed. But upon 
entrance, one is only dreaming the dreams of youth, 
not seeing the visions of men. The little band of stu- 
dents began their work. But as a house is not merely 
four square walls, so a university is not simply build- 
ings, laboratories and libraries. It is teachers and 
students as well. 



CHAPTER IX 

Bennett Academy and Kindred Ventures 
The greatness of the dream of the founders of Chris- 
tian University is indicated by the fact that they were 
''desirous of establishing one or more educational insti- 
tutions."^ No attempt was ever made by them, how- 
ever, to establish a second college or university; but 
an academy was maintained at Bennett, Nebraska, 
and attempts were made to secure several other build- 
ings for similar school purposes. 

Bennett was a village of a few hundred inhabitants, 
located eighteen miles southwest of Lincoln, where 
Prof. F. W. Scott owned and managed a school known 
as Union Seminary. The Board of Trustees, anxious 
to establish academies as ''feeders" for the central 
university, purchased this property, consisting of the 
building all furnished for school purposes, and a five- 
acre tract of land. The amount paid for the property 
was $2,275 in Bethany real estate, and $108.33 in cash; 
the new owners to receive the benefit of outstanding 
pledges to the amount of $1100. 

The name of the school was changed to Bennett 
Academy. In the fall of 1890, it began its career in 
rather an unpropitious manner, having four teachers 
and four students.- Professor George E. Jones of Kent, 
Iowa, became the principal and Miss Ella Dungan of 
Des Moines, the assistant; the salaries were $800 and 
$450 respectively. Before the end of the year Miss 
Dungan was succeeded by Miss Kathleen Hearn, as 
assistant principal. Miss Florence Baker was the in- 
structor in music and Miss Lulu Murphy instructor in 



lArticles of Incorporation filed in County Clerk's office April 
12 1888. 

-Number of students: First year, 26; second year, 63; third 
year, 52; fourth year, 52; fifth year, 79 



Bennett Academy and Kindred Ventures 71 

art. The new school soon gained the confidence and 
respect of the community and by the end of the first 
year twenty-six were enrolled in all departments. That 
there was an increasing interest and appreciation of 
the efficient work done, was made manifest by the fact 
that sixty-three students were enrolled during the sec- 
ond year. 

Bennett Academy made substantial progress until 
the fifth year, when the Nebraska Christian Educa- 
tional Board was forced, by stringent financial circum- 
stances, to withdraw its support. Professor Jones was 
the only member of the original f acultj^ then remaining, 
being assisted by E. D. Harris and two young men, E. J. 
Thomson and G. H. Knox. A decrease in attendance 
might have been expected during the year, but the in- 
terest in the newly introduced commercial course offset 
any depreciation and gave the school a larger student 
body than it had had in any preceeding year. The 
sixth, and last year of the Academy was begun with 
Mr. Paul Goss as principal. His work continued for 
only ten weeks. With his resignation the history of 
Bennett Academy comes to an end. The existence of 
the Academy was brief, but the character of the work 
done was creditable. Sixteen individuals count them- 
selves alumni^ of this school that now lives only in 
memory. 

It is interesting to read in the proceedings of the 
Trustees, proposals of two similar ventures. The rec- 
ords for April 6, 1891, say, ''Rev. Mr. Hilton of Crete, 



lAlumni of Bennett Academy 

Class of '93— Geo. W. Eggleston, Jr., Ella Hartley, Lulu Hiatt, 
Howard M. McPherson, Anna Moore, A. D. Southwick. 

Class of '94 — Ella Hall, Remona Harper, Louise Hartzell, 
Tyre Jones, Ora Seely, Emma Smith. 

Class of '95 — L. V. Flowers, Emmet J. Thomson, Grace Hon- 
nor, Delia Smith. 



72 History of Cotner University 

was present and presented the matter of establishing 
a school at Bartley, Red Willow county, Nebraska, 
where a foundation worth $12,000 is already in, and 
a plan which could be completed for $15,000, with 
seven hundred and fifty acres of land promised as a 
donation. No action taken."^ The minutes for Sep- 
tember 3, 1891, refer to the second proposed venture: 
''J. Z. Briscoe was appointed to examine into the mat- 
ter of the school at Republican City and decide whether 
or not it would be w^ell to purchase it."- No further 
record regarding these ventures is to be found. Time 
has dimmed the memory of the only men remaining 
who would in any wise be capable of recalling the why 
and wherefore of these past events. Thus we are left 
to wonder or conjecture as to the reason for their fail- 
ure. 

During this buoyant period of progress another plan- 
that was contemplated, but never realized, was the 
establishment of a law college.'^ This would undoubt- 
edly have been too great an undertaking, involving too 
enormous an expense, for the young university. 

One of the hopes that was realized, however, was 
the establishment of a medical college. A committee 
from the Nebraska Eclectic Medical Society met with 
the Board of Trustees May 27, 1889, to discuss the 
feasibility of establishing a medical department in 
Christian University. The committee consisted of 
Doctors W. S. Latta and R. L. Bentley. It was not until 
the following March, however, that definite action was 
taken. A number of the leading Lincoln doctors,'^ had 



iRecord Book of Board Proceedings pp. 223. 
^Record Book of Board Proceedings, pp. 266. 
^Record Book of Board Proceedings, pp. 222. 
4W. S. Latta, R. L. Bentley, J. B. Keys, A. I. Root, Wm. Mc- 
Intyre, J. H. Woodward. 



Bennett Academy and Kindred Ventures 73 

formulated a plan which was at this time presented to 
the trustees of the university. The essential points of 
their plan were as follows : 

1. That the Medical College should be a department 
of Christian University. 

2. That the Medical department should be self-sus- 
taining. 

3. The trustees should provide suitable rooms fully 
equipped for medical work. 

4. The university trustees should be given the priv- 
ilege of removing any professor and should have the 
authority to elect a successor upon the nomination of 
the Medical College faculty. 

This plan was accepted, and the Medical School was 
opened in the fall of 1890, in rooms on the fourth floor 
of the university building. A few years later, having 
outgrown its original home, the Medical College was 
moved to Lincoln, At the close of the year 1911 its 
name was changed from ''Lincoln Medical College of 
Cotner University" to ''Cotner University Medical Col- 
lege." At the present time there is practically no affil- 
iation between the Medical College and Cotner Univer- 
sity, the separation taking place in 1913. 

During its early years the Medical College was han- 
dicapped because it was an eclectic institution. This 
was something new to the western medical world and 
men of the old school opposed it. It was impossible 
to fill all positions on the faculty with men holding 
the new view. This caused more or less friction. Jeal- 
ousy among the medical men has often constituted a 
disturbing influence. The school has had many "ups 
and downs," but with all its difficulties, many men of 
unquestionable character and distinction in the med- 
ical world, give this institution credit for making them 
what they are. 



74 History of Cotner University 

Many changes have been made in length of time 
required for graduation from the medical school. At 
the beginning it consisted of a three year course of six 
months each. The following year the term was in- 
creased to seven months, instead of six. Another 
change was made in 1896, when it became a four year 
course of six months each. Still there seemed to be 
need of more time and in 1900 the school year was ex- 
tended to seven months. At present the professional 
degree is given only upon the completion of satisfac- 
tory work for four years of eight months each. 

The Alumni Association of the Medical College 
numbers two hundred and forty-nine members. It 
can boast of having practicing physicians in nineteen 
states of the union, one in the United States navy,^ 
and three in India-. The school has just reason to be 
proud of the record its graduates are making. 

The close relationship between the medical and den- 
tal professions, and the fact that dentistry is really a 
part of the medical and surgical course, led to the 
establishment of the Lincoln Dental College of Cotner 
University. This new department was initiated in 
September, 1899. The prime instigators of the new 
movement were W. Clyde Davis, M. D., D. D. S., dean 
of the new college ; Clifford R. Teft, M. D., secretary, 
and H. A. Shannon, D. D. S., president of the executive 
board. Each of these men also filled a prominent place 
in the teaching staff. 

The length of time required for graduation was the 
same as that for graduation from the Medical College. 
The first graduate exercises were held in 1901. The 
first graduate was a Japanese by the name of Kuski 



iSanky Bacon, '05. 

^Dr. C. C. Drummond, '96, Harda, India: Dr. Howard R. Mur- 
phy, '12, Midnapore, India; Dr. Bertha Mangon Thomson, '13, 
Mahoba, India, 



Bennett Academy and Kindred Ventures 75 

Kumamoto. After a short period the relationship of 
the Dental College with Cotner University was ended, 
the Dental College becoming affiliated with the State 
University. It is known to-day as the Lincoln Dental 
College. 

Many are the departments of education into which 
Cotner has gone, her ventures have been many, her real 
failures few. 



CHAPTER X 

A Friend and a New Name 

We cannot go further with our history without tel- 
ling you, kind reader, of the name the university is 
proud to wear, a name that has been echoed and re- 
echoed over many an athletic field, one that many a 
student speaks with pride, a name that has touched the 
world — ^^the name, Cotner. Her graduates are found 
in the sunny south, and in the pine clad hills of the 
north; upon New England's rugged shore, and on the 
western slope where rolls the Oregon ; and even more, 
for their voices speak from across the sea. 

"A friend in need is a friend indeed." One of the 
quiet, reserved men, who was a member of the Board 
of Trustees, who could be counted upon in times of 
distress, was Samuel Cotner^ of Omaha. It is a pecul- 
iar coincidence that the two greatest friends of this 
university were relatives. J. Z. Briscoe, who gave 
time, thought and money to the institution during its 
creative stage, was ably seconded in the later period 
by Samuel Cotner. his brother-in-law. 

There are many ways of doing good in the world. 
Some are eloquent, speaking from pulpit or platform; 
some are sympathetic, radiating kindness and 
cheer, while others give of their wealth. The last 
way was used by Mr. Cotner in assisting Nebraska 
Christian University. 



1 Samuel Cotner was the youngest of a family of thirteen chil- 
dren, eleven boys and two girls. His mother died when he was 
three years old and his father seven years later. His education 
was secured in the common schools. Upon leaving Indiana in 
1866, Mr. Cotner came to Nebraska, settling in Douglas county 
where he lived until his death. He was widely known in Ne- 
braska business circles. Mr. Cotner was at one time president of 



A New Friend and a Neiv Name 77 

Not long after its beginning financial pressure began 
to weigh upon the trustees of Cotner University. Ad- 
joining the land owned by the university was a tract 
of fifty-five acres of land, which it was felt would be of 
great value, if it could be secured. Samuel Cotner 
now proved himself a real friend to the university. 
Mrs. Cotner tells how they decided to purchase this 
tract of land and give it to the university. ''You know 
Mr. Cotner was a very quiet, unassuming man. He 
never occupied any public place in life but was much 
interested in state affairs always questioning right 
and wrong. When the State University was graduat- 
ing infidels and our people were aroused for the safety 
of their sons and daughters, and were striving to com- 
plete and put on a permanent basis our own university, 
Mr. Cotner took up the matter v/ith me. (We never 
did things alone, one always helped the other.) In 
the course of our conversation he said, there is a tract 
of fifty -five acres near the university; if they could 
buy it, it would help them out. I said, I wish we could 
buy it and give it to them. He replied, if you like we 
will do so, and we at once began to plan toward that 
end. I cannot write of these plans and the pleasure 
we took in them.''^ 



one of the South Omaha banks and was engaged extensively in 
the live stock commission business. At the time of his death he 
was general agent of the Banker's Life Insurance Company of 
Lincoln. The marriage of Mr. Cotner and Miss Sarah Briscoe 
took place at Burnettsville, Indiana, October 11, 1861. Miss 
Briscoe was at that time a teacher in the Burnettsville Normal 
School. Mrs. Cotner was a g-reat counsel and co-worker with 
Mr. Cotner in all his educational and business undertakings. 
TTieir golden wedding anniversary was celebrated on October 
11, 1911. Mr. Cotner was born at Logansport, Ind., June 2, 1842, 
and died at the same place April 5, 1912. Mr. Cotner had gone 
to Logansport to visit his aged sister. While his death was 
sudden and unexpected, it is a joy to know that he had filled out 
the limits of a ripe age; that his life had been useful and hon- 
orable. 

iPersonal letter from Mrs. Cotner of Jan. 15, 1915. 



78 



History of Cotner University 



This tract of land was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. 
Cotner for $12,000 and given to the University. It 
was a noble gift, coming from generous hearts. It was 
just what the new, struggling school needed. Her 
resources were becoming almost exhausted, for the 
expense of building and equipping such a big enter- 




Samuel Cotner 

prise was enormous. The records of the university 
show this resolution as being passed April 28, 1890 : 
''Inasmuch as Brother and Sister Samuel Cotner of 
Omaha have signified their intention to aid the uni- 
versity to the extent of $12,000 in the purchase of 
property, which shall be worth to the university about 
$40,000, be it resolved by the executive committee of 



A New Friend and a New Name 79 

the board now in session that the name Cotner Uni- 
versity be tendered to them ; the same to be published 
as soon as they shall indicate their acceptance of the 
name 'Cotner University' and their willingness to com- 
ply with the required conditions. This resolution con- 
templates that the first catalogue of the institution, to 
be issued in a few weeks, shall bear the name Cotner 
University."^ This motion was unanimously adopted. 
Thus, the institution begun as Nebraska Christian Uni- 
versity obtained a new friend and a new name. Since 
that time the school has always been known as Cotner. 

Mr. Cotner gave to the university fifty-five acres of 
land, almost one-sixth as much as the original dona- 
tion. It was located in what is now South Bethany. 
The camp ground, where the Nebraska Christian Mis- 
sionary Society often holds its yearly meeting, is on 
one corner of it. The trustees estimated the land 
worth $40,000 to them. It was all the more valuable 
because it was given at an opportune time. The sale 
of lots was becoming quite difficult and this addi- 
tion of land gave new impetus to the whole project. 

Mr. Cotner was always keenly interested in educa- 
tional affairs. Just after coming to Nebraska he 
taught school on the site now occupied by Bellevue Col- 
lege. In these early days he was one of the most 
ardent of those who fought for more thorough train- 
ing and for the development of a higher system of edu- 
cation. By his gift to Cotner he was able to carry 
out a life long desire. During the hard times of the 
nineties his fortune was swept away, preventing him 
from giving to the school the further aid he had 
planned, but his interests and sympathy grew keener 
as the years passed. 



iRecord book of Board Proceedings, pp. 162. 



80 History of Cotner University 

Mrs. Cotner was equally desirous of assisting the 
cause of Christian education and shared with Mr. 
Cotner the joy which comes as a result of giving. Since 
his death Mrs. Cotner has given to the trustees $500 
to apply on the endowment fund of Cotner University. 
This was a part of the money received from a small 
insurance policy on Mr. Cotner's life. Mrs. Cotner 
now resides in Omaha, Nebraska, and whenever she 
is in Lincoln she never fails to make a visit to Cotner 
University. 



CHAPTER XI 

The Crisis 

Even though the strictest economy is practiced by 
denominational schools, years lapse into quarter and 
half centuries, and often a new century dawns before 
they are properly endowed and financial struggles 
cease. The financial history of every college, fostered 
by religion is the presentation of a like story of fail- 
ures and successes. Cotner's story is no exception to 
this general rule. 

While Cotner was still in its youth, real anxiety was 
shown as to the financial outcome of the movement. 
In order to understand clearly the crisis which almost 
wrecked the school in its eighth year, it is necessary 
to trace the financial history from the beginning of the 
school. 

The source of all income for the support of the 
school was derived from the sale of land. No effort 
was made to secure cash donations. All money re- 
ceived from land sales was placed in the general fund 
and used for building and other purposes. No land 
or money was reserved primarily for an endowment. 
The original donation of land amounted to three hun- 
dred and twenty-one acres and eighteen lots. The lots 
being located in different parts of Lincoln. This total 
included a donation of ten acres from Charles M. Leigh- 
ton. Before it was finally deeded to the trustees of 
Cotner University he offered to sell them, one hundred 
and fifty lots of the usual size, and five lots of one acre 
each, at the price of 12,400, provided the Trustees 
would cancel his original donation of ten acres. This 
was considered a good proposition by the Board and 



82 History of Cotner University 

was accepted. The Leighton addition lay two blocks 
north and three blocks west of the northwest corner of 
the campus. The Trustees also purchased of E. T. 
Gadd for $3525 twenty-three and one-half lots in 
Townsend and Gadd addition. This land was located 
between the Leighton addition and the rest of the uni- 
versity property. In the spring of 1889 a generous 
gift of fifty-five acres was received from Samuel Cot- 
ner. The total amount of land donated to, and pur- 
chased by, the Trustees of Cotner University was three 
hundred and eighty acres, and eighteen lots in Lincoln 
and twenty-three and one-half lots in Bethany. This 
acreage did not include the sixty-five lots given to them 
by J. Z. Briscoe for the maintenance of the Bible Chair 
in the university. The proceeds from the sale of these 
lots, however, were not to be placed in the general fund 
but were to be reserved as an endowment for the 
Briscoe Bible Chair. 

During the first three years a lack of money did not 
retard the progress of Cotner University. From the 
beginning to August 26, 1890, one hundred and eighty- 
eight and one-half acres of Bethany real estate had 
been sold for $100,295. ''Of the original donation of 
land to the Board for the location of a university we 
have remaining one hundred thirty-two and one-half 
acres and eighteen suburban lots."^ From the Leighton 
addition, property had been sold to the amount of 
$29,325. According to the listed price there still re- 
mained unsold $3,475 worth of lots. This gave them 
a net profit on the Leighton transaction of $16,925, 
besides the unsold lots. From the Gadd purchase, there 
had been lots sold to the amount of $1,125. 

The total expenditures for the year 1889 were 
$73,729.99. A year later they had increased to 



iProceedings of 23rd annual Christian Missionary convention^ 
pp. 12. 



The Crisis 83 

$93,373.95. In this expense was included the cost of 
the building and its furnishings, together with the cost 
of maintaining the school for the first year. In ad- 
dition to the above amount a dormitory had been 
erected at a cost of $4,373.02 and thirteen dwelling 
houses costing $17,645.42. There was a mortgage of 
$13,600 placed upon these houses and the lots which 
they occupied. In noting the assets and liabilities for 
the first years one readily discerns the greater balance 
to be upon the side of the assets. All bills contracted 
(except the mortgages upon the thirteen houses) for 
the building, campus, dormitory, etc., were paid in full. 
There were no outstanding obligations unpaid. This 
great university was dedicated free from all debt. Suf- 
ficient land had been sold to meet all expenditures ; the 
only handicap lay in the fact that all were not cash 
sales. The terms upon which lots were sold were ''one- 
fourth cash, the balance at eight per cent interest or 
will arrange with the purchaser." As has already 
been said, all money was secured from the sale of 
land. Lots had been sold in large numbers. Payments 
were made in bankable notes for about three-fourths 
of this total sum or in other words, three-fourths of 
the returns from land sales were in notes. Of course 
the amount of cash received was not sufficient to pay 
the obligations of the university so these personal notes 
were sold, but before anyone would purchase them, 
they were personally endorsed by the members of the 
Board of Trustees and by the finance committee, con- 
sisting of J. Z. Briscoe, C. C. Munson, C. R. Van Duyn 
and Porter Hedge. Mr. Hedge says, 'The local mem- 
bers of the Board, or a majority of them, have endorsed 
all notes negotiated by the University Board in order 
to make them saleable and have cast in their fortune 
with the fortune of the university, to rise or fall with 



84 History of Cotner University 

it. We ask you for your sympathy and support and 
we will have no fear of the results." 

In 1891, anxiety was beginning to show itself, be- 
cause the purchasers of lots were not meeting their 
payments. By 1892, real alarm was manifested and a 
special meeting of the University Board was called 
to devise the best plan for meeting the existing finan- 
cial pressure. At this meeting, Professor Aylsworth 
proposed to do something ''substantial."^ President 
Dungan offered to be one of fifty persons to give $1000 
each toward relieving the financial stress of the uni- 
versity. C. B. Newnan, pastor of the First Christian 
Church of Lincoln, and W. P. Aylsworth agreed to do 
the same. This was the first time the suggestion of 
taking pledges had been made. The attempt, however, 
was doomed to failure. 

The situation looked very discouraging for the uni- 
versity. The plan of the founders rested wholly upon 
the returns from land sales. When the buyers could 
not pay because of hard times it seemed that the plan 
was unsuccessful. The purchasers of the lots were 
really the builders of the university and they could 
not meet their obligations. The next question was, 
would those who endorsed their notes be able to meet 
the obligation ; if not the university must go. The per- 
sonal property belonging to the men who had endorsed 
these notes was now in danger. They could have 
avoided this personal risk by mortgaging the univer- 
sity but rather than encumber it, they assumed the 
risk. 

As a last resort in the attempt to better conditions, 
it was decided to exchange Bethany lots for farms 
upon which there were some improvements. The 
Trustees were to ''take land with incumbrance, pro- 
vided, the purchaser will take property enough to give 



iRecord bock of Board Proceedings, pp. 284. 



The Crisis 85 

a mortgage back to the Board of the same amount as 
that assumed by the Board on the land purchased."^ 
The farms were to be rented for one-third of the crop, 
delivered at the market. Ultimately they hoped to dis- 
pose of the land at a fair profit, having disposed of 
their town lots in the transaction. Five per cent com- 
mission was given to J. Z. Briscoe for making the 
exchange of property. This plan involved the Board 
in an extensive real estate business. By 1893 the 
estimated value of their farm equity was $37,000. 
Farm property, however, proved to be no better asset 
than Bethany lots had been. The mortgages upon 
farms, which had been assumed, must be paid. By this 
time the indebtedness of the university had reached 
$38,755.37. They were now desirous of selling the 
farms and meeting their obligations, but were unable 
to do so because of the ''hard times" of the nineties. 

The financial embarrassment became more intense. 
The Board of Trustees held personal notes amounting 
to $25,000, but considered $9,000 of it as v/orthless 
paper. Collections were very difficult, sales were im- 
possible and yet obligations must be rnet. In October, 
1893, the indebtedness was $50,000.- To meet this 
demand the Board, in compliance with the statutes of 
Nebraska, authorized the issue of bonds to the amount 
of fifty thousand dollars in series of five hundred dol- 
lars each."'^ A trust deed upon the university campus, 
building, and one hundred and thirty-four lots was 
given to the Globe Loan and Trust Company of Omaha, 
for the purpose of securing these bonds. The Board 
hoped in this way to gain time and ultimately to save 
the university. 

The final outcome was just opposite to what they had 



iRecord book of Board Proceedings, pp. 264. 
-Record Book of Board Proceedings, pp. S38. 
•"Record Book of Board Proceedings, pp. 339. 



S6 History of Cotner University 

hoped. The financial panic swept the entire country. 
The creditors secured judgments against the property 
of the persons who had bought lots and given their 
notes in payment. This was not sufficient to meet 
their claims because all values, particularly land, had 
greatly depreciated. Deficiency judgments were then 
secured against the property of the finance committee 
from the Board of Trustees. It was in this way that 
J. Z, Briscoe and others lost heavily. As this was 
still insufficient the university building and property 
were taken. This property was all taken to pay the 
creditors because of the decrease in land values. As 
an illustration of this fact, lots that sold for $250 be- 
fore the panic sold for $25 afterward. 

To equip and man a college is as much a business 
proposition as to equip and man a steel mill or a de- 
partment store. At the outset Cotner University had 
but one acting head, a president. It was the duty of 
this man to be the presiding officer of the faculty and 
to have the general oversight and management of the 
school. The title given to the individual in this posi- 
tion was that of president. The president and the 
Board of Trustees shared together the responsibility 
of the financial situation. It was felt, however, that 
if a competent man could be secured, whose sole work 
would be that of devising a plan for the adequate 
financing of the school, conditions would be greatly 
improved. With this end in view the office of chancel- 
lor was created and A. E. Jennings was called to fill the 
position.^ 

Mr. Jennings accepted the call and began at once a 
careful investigation of the existing conditions. In his 



lA. E. Jennings was a resident of Ann Arbor, Mich. He had 
shown a keen interest in the educational movement of the Chris- 
tian church in the west He was chosen Chancellor of Cotner 
with the hc'pe that he could secure help from the wealthy men 
of the east. 



The Crisis 87 

report, given on June 12, 1894, he found for the school 
year just closed, a deficit of $12,725. ''Investigation 
shows we have been running behind on an average 
of $10,000 a year for four years. "^ The total debt 
was $75,000 ; of this total there were farm obli- 
gations amounting to $15,000. The Articles of Incor- 
poration permitted a debt of but $50,000. Mr. Jennings 
said : ''There are two ways out of the difficulty. First, 
amend our charter to allow more indebtedness ; second^ 
devise some way to come within our limit. I cannot 
under any circumstances recommend the former. "- 

The assets of the university were also carefully 
noted. He found it impossible to get accurate informa- 
tion as to the amount due the university. His report 
gives the assets as amounting to $312,000." 

According to the findings of Mr, Jennings the assets 
were far in excess of the liabilities but regardless of 
the value of the assets the Board was unable to turn 
any of it into money. On a whole Mr. Jennings' work 
was satisfactory, but owing to the dual headship 
there was more or less friction. President Dungan 
showing a somewhat jealous spirit toward Mr. 
Jennings. At the end of the first year, in which Mr» 
Jennings had canvassed for pledges, his resignation 
was tendered and accepted. From this time on the 
head of the school was to be known as chancellor and 
Mr. Dungan was to fill this position. 

It seemed that every hope had vanished. The uni- 
versity was in the hands of creditors. All plans of 
relief had failed. The indebtedness was daily increas- 
ing. Must the school close and the property be turned 
over to the creditors? 



iRecord Book. 

-Record Book, 

•'Assets according: to the Jennings report: Building- $85,000; 
Campus, $40,000; Lots, $98,000; Farms, $50,000; Notes and 
Mortgages, $39,000. Total, $312,000. 



CHAPTER XII 

The School in Jeopardy 

Cotner University was now in jeopardy, but the men 
who loved the school were not going to let it go with- 
out another effort to save it. During these dark years 
one of the most hopeful propositions was made by 
Mr. F. M. Call of St. Louis, Missouri, The founders 
of Cotner realized that the school could not continue 
without an endowment and in their efforts to provide 
such, Mr. Call had been solicited a j^ear or so before 
the panic. Being greatly interested in the higher 
educational movement, he promised to respond with a 
gift of $50,000. Before this plan could be consum- 
mated, however, the panic had swept over the entire 
country. 

The indebtedness was rapidly increasing. Mr. Call 
was solicited to see if the form of his proposed gift 
could not be changed and used to save the university 
from creditors. This agreement was finally reached: 
Mr. Call was to give $50,000 which was to be used to 
pay off the indebtedness and thus save the school, pro- 
vided the Trustees would deed him all the university 
property, valued at over $300,000, as a guarantee that 
as soon as the financial outlook of the country bright- 
ened, the Board of Trustees would raise $50,000 for 
an endowment fund. This would mean virtually the 
same as Mr. Call giving that amount for an endow- 
ment and would serve the additional purpose of saving 
the university. It must be remembered that the finan- 
cial conditions were such that the creditors would 
very soon take the property. There seemed to be no 
way available to meet this indebtedness and unless 
the university could be relieved of this burden an en- 



The School in Jeopardy 89 

dowment would be futile. This indeed seemed a happy 
remedy for two ills, viz : the relieving of the debt and 
the securing of an endowment fund. 

Another part of the agreement required the chang- 
ing of the name from Cotner to Call University. Mr. 
Cotner was consulted regarding this anticipated change 
and true to his generous disposition he told the Board 
to do whatever was best for the future of the school. 
It was hoped and felt, however, that when Mr. Call 
should arrive and be made acquainted with the cir- 
cumstances he would accept the name, Call-Cotner Uni- 
verstiy. 

No one thought it impossible to raise $50^000 for 
an endowment as soon as financial conditions again 
became normal. As soon as this money should be 
raised, Mr. Call agreed to return to the university all 
the property which it had deeded to him. A contract 
embodying these ideas had been drawn and lacked only 
the signatures of the contracting parties to make it 
binding. Excerpts from the contract show how care- 
fully all the details had been worked out. ''This article 
of agreement entered into this 10th day of April, A. D. 
1895, by and between the Nebraska Christian Educa- 
tional Board of Lancaster county, Nebraska, party of 
the first part, and F. M. Call of Saint Louis, Missouri, 
party of the second part, witnesseth : That in consid- 
eration of the payment and covenants hereinafter men- 
tioned to be made and performed, the party of the first 
part will convey and assure to the party of the sec- 
ond part, in fee simple, clear of all encumbrances what- 
soever by good and sufficient warrantj^ deed all proper- 
ty owned by the University. ''The party of the first part 
further agrees that on and after the signing of this 
agreement the name of the institution shall be Call 
University. The party of the second part hereby 
agrees that the University shall be under the control 



90 History of Cotner University 

and management of The Nebraska Christian Educa- 
tional Board the same as though these covenants had 
never been entered into, and to deed to purchasers any 
of the vacant lots at the request of the said first party. 
And at any time that the said party of the first part 
shall have freed itself from all debts and liability, and 
secure and furnish Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) 
as endowment to said university in addition to its 
present resources, party of the second part shall deed 
back to party of the first part, free and clear of all 
encumbrances whatsoever, said University, Campus 
and buildings. Dormitory and Hospital with grounds 
and furnishings thereunto belonging to all buildings. 
The party of the second part also agrees to execute 
a deed of all property conveyed as mentioned above to 
party of the first part, and place said deed in the hands 
of his administrator or his executor with instructions 
to deliver to party of the first part in case of decease of 
party of the second part." 

Before the final execution of the plan it was neces- 
sary to obtain the sanction of the creditors. This was 
easily secured, together with liberal reductions on their 
part. A meeting of the Board of Trustees was called, 
to which the creditors and Mr. F. M. Call were in- 
vited. Inasmuch as President Dungan had been influ- 
ential in interesting Mr. Call in Cotner University, he 
was also present. The meeting assembled and all 
parties were hopeful. There was not the slightest 
thought of failure in bringing about the desired re- 
sults. It is unfortunate that the historian must record 
things as they were, rather than as it was hoped they 
would be. The whole proposition suddenly collapsed 
and Cotner lost the chances of receiving the $50,000. 
Just what influences caused Mr. Call to withdraw his 
proffered gift will probably never be known. Un- 
doubtedly, by talking and investigating, Mr. Call 



The School in Jeopardy 91 

learned that the financial circumstances of the school 
were very doubtful. Whatever the cause he returned 
to St. Louis and no renewal of negotiations was at- 
tempted on either his part or that of the university. 

Mr. Charles R. Van Dnyn was the "all purpose" man 
of the university. It w^as his duty to look after its 
many varied interests. In his report given in June, 
1895, the real condition of the university is presented. 
'This has been one of the most busy, anxious and labor- 
ious years of my life. I have acted in the capacity of 
correspondent, collecter, bookkeeper, secretary, treas- 
urer, etc. . It has required a great deal of time, both 
by correspondence and personal interview, to keep our 
creditors from bringing suits and closing us out to sat- 
isfy their claims. I here mention, very briefly, a few 
things that have been done. I made settlement with 
Bro. A. E. Jennings and secured the $1,000 donation 
on his salary which he agreed to give if a satisfactory 
arrangement could be made with him within ten days 
after his resignation. J. M. Howie v^^as employed to 
assist in keeping the accounts ; but in one month he re- 
signed his position and I have done that part of the 
work myself, saving the Board thereby $510.00. Prof. 
F. E. Haughey resigned his position one month before 
his time expired which saved us $10.95. I made set- 
tlement with Noah and Margaret L. Weaver and thus 
relieved the Board of $500.00 judgment. Collected 
notes for Miles and Thompson and the Fremont Loan 
and Trust Co., on which the Board is endorser, to the 
amount of $4,173.85, and received $64,40 fees for col- 
lecting the same which the Board gets credit for on my 
salary. I donated one-half of the expense ($27.50) 
for telephone services during the time we used the 
phone. December 1st, we discontinued the service of 
the telephone which cut off the expense of $10.00 per 
month. I spent five weeks in Illinois in company with 



92 History of Cotner University 

D. R. Dungan to try to sell our lands; but owing to 
successive failures of crops for two years in Nebraska, 
it was impossible to interest investors. We exchanged 
the equities on three farms in Custer county, Nebr., 
amounting to $395.88, on coal bill and to provide for 
coal this year. This exchange was made with J. E. 
Lowery of Lincoln. Foreclosure suits are commenced 
on several of our farms. In all these cases, I have 
asked for a stay of nine months and it has been 
granted. The time of redemption has about expired on 
one of them ; we have some time on all others. It has 
been almost impossible to make collections on our per- 
sonal notes or pledges, owing to the uncertain condition 
of our institution. I have looked after the building 
to keep it in repair and in as good condition as pos- 
sible."! 

According to Mr. Van Duyn's report, the liabilities 
of the university were $98,089.29, the assets $313,- 
524.63. But values had so greatly depreciated that it 
was impossible to secure money from any source. 
Foreclosures were constantly being made upon uni- 
versity property. The salaries of the faculty rem.ained 
unpaid. In order to save the teachers from complete 
loss, bills of sale were made out, giving them the fur- 
niture, desks and other articles in their respective 
rooms. 

It was now thought wise to give the chancellor more 
authority. ''He was to have the sole power of nomin- 
ating his co-workers in the faculty," subject to the 
approval of the Board, they still having the right to 
elect a chancellor. 

The Christian Educational Board was helpless. Not 
even the running expenses of the school could be paid. 
The chancellor and faculty were at this juncture given 
entire charge of the university, receiving the free use 



iRecord Book of Board Proceedings, pp. 398. 



The School in Jeopardy 93 

and control of the building and all income from tuition 
and endowment. They must pay all expenses incurred 
and then prorate the balance in proportion to the 
amount of salary agreed upon, which was to be accepted 
as full compensation. 

These changes meant an entire reorganization with 
regard to the management of the university. The 
Board of Trustees was to elect a chancellor, the chan- 
cellor to select the faculty. The building was turned 
over to them, they were to receive all income and pay 
all expenses with it. It really meant that the chancel- 
lor and faculty had full control. 



CHAPTER XIII 

Cotner Redeemed 

There were msiny indications during the last months 
of the school year ending in June, 1896, that this was 
the last year for Cotner. Many students were making 
preparations to go elsewhere while some of the upper 
classmen doubled their work in order to finish their 
course or become graduates with the class of '96. Many 
thought the future of Cotner hopeless, while all were 
doubtful. Those in charge, however, were going to 
make one more effort. Chancellor Dungan went to 
California during the summer vacation, hoping to 
raise money, but returned wholly unsuccessful a few 
weeks before school was to begin. 

To all inquirers Chancellor Duncan told the result 
of his efforts and publicly stated that there was only 
one condition upon which he would begin school ; viz : 
that one thousand dollars be raised in cash in Bethany 
within the next two weeks. This was an impossibility, 
for as a long-time citizen of Bethany recently re- 
marked, ''It would have been practically impossible to 
have raised one thousand dimes in cash in the town in 
so short a time, let alone raising one thousand dol- 
lars." 

To close school meant a ''hard blow" to the Chris- 
tian churches of the state ; to the town of Bethany, and 
to the many students of Cotner. Many citizens of 
Bethany were keenly interested and it was decided 
to call a special meeting to see if anything could be 
done to prevent this unhappy result. It was the sense 
of this meeting that the school ought not to close. 
After careful deliberation, it was decided to ask the 
Board of Trustees to request Chancellor Dungan to 



Cotner Redeemed 



95 



begin school without the one thousand dollars in cash 
and if he positively refused to do so, as a last resort, 
to ask for his resignation in order that someone else 
might undertake the task. Before the plan, decided 
upon at this meeting could be carried out. Chancellor 
Dungan tendered his resignation. 

W. P. Aylsworth was now called to fill this import- 
ant position of chancellor at this most critical time. 
It was a task no one would seek and one which but 




W. p. Aylsworth 

few would have accepted. Dr. Aylsworth cheerfully 
assumed this responsibility in order that another ef- 
fort might be made to save Cotner to the cause of 
Christian education. Dr. Aylsworth chose as able a 
body of teachers as possible under existing conditions 
and school was begun in the face of what seemed al- 



96 History of Cotnei' University 

most hopeless circumstances. All realized that but 
little was accomplished in the opening of school. 
Nothing lasting could come unless money was secured. 
The campus, building and all university property were 
in the hands of creditors. The Christian News said, 
"We are a people of many thousand with a splendid 
school but no university building. We are now occu- 
pying a beautiful building in architecture and costly 
in construction held by a trustee for the benefit of the 
banks of Lincoln. "^ The creditors were permitting 
school to be held in the old building and offered to re- 
turn the property upon liberal terms. 

Three great steps must now be taken, first a plan of 
redemption must be formulated; second, the very best 
terms possible must be secured from the creditors, 
and lastly, some competent person must be secured to 
carry to completion the work of redemption. In 1893, 
funds, secured by a trust deed, had been issued for 
$50,000. ''During the years 1895-'96 many deficiency 
judgments were rendered against the Board of Trus- 
tees on mortgages that had been taken in payment 
for property and sold, the mortgages having never 
been paid. These judgments all became liens upon 
the university. The creditors who held the bonds, 
secured by the trust deed, commenced an action to 
foreclose their lien upon the property. A decree was 
rendered giving them a first lien on all the property, 
included in the trust deed and subsequently the prop- 
erty was sold and bought in by the creditors, it being 
held by a trustee for their benefit."- Such was the 
financial situation when it was decided to open school 
in the autumn of 1896. This proved, however, to be 
a successful school year. 



iThe Christian News, 1896. 

NOTE: This was the official paper of the Christian churches, 
of Nebraska edited by William Sumpter. 
-The Christian News, 1897. 



Cotner Redeemed 97 

A committee which had been appointed at the meet- 
ing of Bethany citizens, in accordance with the wish 
expressed at that time, issued a call for a conference 
of leading ministers and churchmen of Nebraska. The 
letter sent out was as follows : 

Bethany, Nebr., April 19, 1897. 

Dear Friend and Brother : — You are doubtless famil- 
iar with the great financial embarrassment hitherto 
attending Cotner University. Some months ago the 
building and campus were sold under foreclosure and 
are now held by a trustee for the creditors. It is only 
a question of time when some other people will buy it 
if we do not. It can be purchased for a small percent 
of the original cost. Circumstances demand, in order 
to hold the property, a new organization and manage- 
ment. To this end we earnestly invite you to be pres- 
ent at a meeting of influencial and representative 
brethren from different parts of the state to be held 
at the university Thursday at 3 o'clock p. m., April 29. 
The immediate object of the meeting will not be to 
raise funds but to devise ways to accomplish the above 
ends. Will you come? Entertainment will be fur- 
nished while here. Sincerely and fraternally, 

W. P. Aylsworth, 

F. L. SUMPTER, 

J. E. Waller, 
A. D. Harmon, 
J. W. Hilton, 

Committee. 

In response to this call forty-two persons assembled, 
while many others who could not be present sent 
meeting is given in these words: **W. P. Aylsworth 
words of hope and encouragement. The work of this 
was elected temporary chairman and 0. J. Grainger of 



98 History of Cotner University 

Fremont temporary secretary. The assembly was then 
led in prayer by J. M. Vawter of Omaha. The chair- 
man briefly, but very clearly, set forth the purpose of 
the meeting and the situation of the property of the 
school. He showed to the brethren present that the 
time was fully at hand and was the most opportune 
we would probably ever have for purchasing the prop- 
erty in question. 

J. E. Harris was elected permanent chairman and 
O. J. Grainger permanent secretary. After the per- 
manent chairman had taken charge and asked the 
pleasure of the meeting a full and free discussion was 
participated in by brethren from Omaha, Exeter, Elm- 
wood, East Lincoln, Auburn, Eagle and other places, 
respecting the situation and inquiring closely into mat- 
ters respecting the property and what could be done to 
save it from a similar fate when purchased by the 
church. 

Immediately following the period of many pointed 
questions and as many clear-cut answers it was the 
sense of those present that no step should be taken 
without the most careful examination into the pres- 
ent legal status of the university property, and ac- 
cordingly the chair was ordered to appoint two, who 
in conjunction with himself, should employ the best 
legral talent in the city to examine the abstract of the 
title and get their written opinion thereupon. 

W. P. Aylsworth and H. J. Kirschstein were ap- 
pointed to act with J. E. Harris to employ an expert 
to examine the title to the property. Next came the 
discussion of the basis of organization after the pur- 
chase of the university property. After some deliber- 
ation it was decided to hear read a proposed plan of 
corporation as outlined by the committee making the 
call for the meeting. Accordingly all further discus- 
sion was dispensed with until F. L. Sumpter had read 



Cotner Redeemed 99 

the outline in question. It was read over carefully by 
Mr. Sumpter and received the approbation of the as- 
sembly. This is accounted for by the fact that the 
committee who submitted the plan had spent many 
hours both in committee and in private, thinking in- 
tensely over it before the meeting occurred."^ 

Three committees were appointed at this meeting. 
The one above mentioned to look into the title to the 
property, another to draw up articles of incorporation. 
These two were temporary committees. A third was 
to be a permanent one and was known as the Ways and 
and Means committee,- consisting of ten persons, to 
whom minor committees were to report and who, in 
conjunction with Chancellor Aylsworth, were to for- 
ward all plans made, call meetings of the brotherhood 
when necessary and in general forward the interests 
of the university. 

The great plan of redemption was to make a thor- 
ough canvass of the churches of Nebraska and adjoin- 
ing states in an effort to secure money which was to 
be known as the trust fund. The donors to this fund 
were to be known as the certificate holders. These in- 
dividuals should meet once a year in order to elect a 
Board of Trustees and to decide upon questions of busi- 
ness and management of Cotner University. ''Any 
person may become a member of this corporation and 
receive a certificate of membership upon the donation 
of one hundred dollars to be used in purchasing and 
endowing the Nebraska Christian University. "■'' Any 
Church of Christ, Christian Endeavor, Ladies Aid So- 
ciety or any other organization connected with the 



^The Christian News, 1897. 

-The followirg- were members of the Way? and Means Com- 
mittee: J. M. Vawter, L. C. Oberlies, E. S. Chamberlain. J. E. 
Harris. F. A. Bright. F. L. Sumpter, A. D. Harmon, J. W. Hilton, 
F. L. Wilmeth. A. W. Harney. 

•'Articles of Incorporation of Cotner University. 



100 History of Cotner University 

church upon the donation of one hundred dollars, would 
become a certificate holder. In order that persons or 
churches of a later period might have a part in the 
endowment and a vote in the management and control 
of the school, they might at any time be granted cer- 
tificates upon the receipt of one hundred dollars for the 
permanent endowment fund. 

The Board of Trustees consisted of fifteen members. 
The term of office was three years. The first 
Board was to consist of five members elected for 
one, five for two and five for three j'ears. One very 
important limitation was placed upon the Board of 
Trustees. 'The Board of Trustees shall not have 
power to mortgage or encumber the university building 
and campus." **The Board of Trustees shall not con- 
tract any indebtedness or incur any liability beyond 
the actual income of the university and in the em- 
ployment of a faculty, they shall enter into a written 
contract whereby the compensation shall be a propor- 
tionate share of the net income of the university from 
all sources, less the necessary actual expense but such 
share not to exceed a certain fixed amount. No other 
contract shall be made until such a time as the income 
from endowment and otherwise shall warrant the giv- 
ing of fixed salaries."^ 

The new organization of the university provided 
that the chancellor should be head of the school and 
faculty, recommending new teachers, plans, etc. The 
chancellor was to be elected by the Board of Trustees 
and must report to and be governed by that body. 
The Trustees in turn were to be elected and controlled 
by the certificate holders. It was hoped by this plan 
of certifixates, to create a large constituency person- 
ally interested in the future of Cotner University. Of 
course, gifts of less than one hundred dollars were ac- 
cepted and due credit given. 



lArticles of Incorporation of Cotner University. 



Cotner Redeemed 101 

The great problem after the formation of the plan, 
was the execution of it. Ordinarily it would not be a 
difficult task to raise a few thousand dollars but it 
must be remembered that the jaws of the crisis had 
scarcely loosened their grip upon the people. Almost 
every man had obligations of his own to meet which 
seemed almost too great without attempting to aid in 
paying the obligations of a university. 

A name which must always be linked with Cotner 
redemption is that of W. P. Aylsworth. He gave con- 
stant help and advice in formulating the plan, working 
upon committees and in standing at the head of the 
school in these trying times. For two years, while 
acting as chancellor and professor of Sacred literature, 
he spent all of his spare time in raising money for the 
trust fund. 

If dollar for dollar of the indebtedness had been 
required by the creditors it would have been impossible 
to have regained possession of Cotner University build- 
ing. 

The largest part of the debt was held by four banks 
of Lincoln, namely: 

First National Bank of Lincoln .......$12,064.36 

American Exchange Bank 8,043.11 

Columbia National Bank 4,946.00 

The Union Savings Bank..... 14,110.57 

In addition to the bank claims, the faculty had also 
secured a judgment against the property for $12,535.41 
due them in unpaid salaries. The total indebtedness 
thus amounted to $51,699.45. Those working for the 
redemption of the university were able to get this 
amount reduced to about one-fourth, or to $13,807.25. 
This sum must be raised to save Cotner.^ 



iThe figures concerning the financial status were secured from 
papers, receipts and documents belonging to J. W. Hilton. In 
addition to the one-fourth there was $800 which had to be paid 



102 History of Cotner University 

A few members of the faculty refused to accept one- 
fourth as full payment of their claims so it was neces- 
sary, in order to satisfy them, to pay them more. Sev- 
eral other members of the faculty, however, accepted 
the one-fourth adjustment and were also willing to 
take Bethany lots instead of cash in payment. These 
lots were taken at about $25 apiece. Lots had been 
selling from $200 to $400 before the crisis. This is 
only one illustration of the great depreciation in land 
values. After these plans had been formed and the 
terms secured, the real work of redemption was begun. 

The words of a few of the Christian ministers will 
indicate how people felt about the need of and the plan 
for redemption : 

''Your plan impresses me as the best possible appli- 
cation of sound business principles applicable to the 
present emergency. It will take many years to recover 
from the shock if the school, with its power for good, 
is lost to us." — A. W. Davis, Falls City, Nebr. 

''I believe the articles of incorporation to cover quite 
thoroughly the ground for w^hich they were drawn and 
I think the plan the most sensible and practical one 
yet framed. May God bless the efforts to make it a 
success." — L. P. Bush, Tecumseh, Nebr. 

''To lose the university means to the churches of Ne- 
braska and the west what paralysis means to the hu- 
man body. We cannot spare Cotner University." — 
George C. Ritchey, Humboldt, Nebr. 

"With these articles as a basis of organization I see 
no reason why all donations or gifts made to the uni- 
versity should not be on the safest of foundations. 
They have a business ring to them." — J. W. Elliot, 
Harvard, Nebr. 



to the creditors for having kept up the insurance on the build- 
ing. It will still not quite make the $13,807.25 because some 
would not settle on the one-fourth basis. 



Cotner Redeemed 103 

With almost universal support of the church the 
canvass was begun. Five percent of the amount of the 
pledges received was to be used to defray expenses. 
Pledges were taken with the understanding that if the 
sufficient amount was not raised to redeem the prop- 
erty not less than eighty percent of the pledge should 
be returned. Until the total amount was raised the 
money was to be held by William Sumpter as a trust 
fund, that is, a fund held in sacred trust. The raising 
of this money was not an easy task. It could not be 
accomplished in a few weeks. Many were willing to 
help yet powerless to do so. This is the form of the 
pledge used: 

A PLEDGE TO THE TRUST FUND FOR THE PUR- 
CHASE OF COTNER UNIVERSITY BY THE 
CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN NEBRASKA 

$ .189... 

Promises to pay 

dollars to become a trust fund, to be used in purchas- 
ing the property known as Cotner University, to- 
gether with the campus, dormitory and 134 resident 
lots. The said amount to be paid to William Sumpter 
as treasurer and trustee of said fund. 
To be paid .-.. 



By 1898, Dr. Aylsworth had succeeded in making a 
good beginning on the necessary amount. He had been 
very successful for it was realized that the task of 
acting as chancellor, professor and of raising the trust 
fund, was too great for one man. Many of the pledges 
which had been secured by Dr. Aylsworth were given 
by citizens of Bethany and the immediate vicinity. A 
more extended canvass must be made ; the appeal must 
be taken to all the churches of Nebraska and adjoining 
states ; more time must be given than Chancellor Ayls- 
worth could spare, if success was to crown the efforts 
of those who labored for the redemption of Cotner. 



104 



History of Cotner University 



All people instinctively turned to a member of the 
graduating class of 1898 ; to one who had already ren- 
dered valuable service. No one had taken a greater 
personal interest in the- cause of Cotner. He was now 
employed to enter the field and solicit funds. Mr. 




J. W. Hilton 

Hilton was a young man full of enthusiasm and power, 
willing to leave his home and family and sacrifice him- 
self financially. His efforts were rewarded in that 
the Christian church now owns a great Christian Uni- 
versity known as Cotner. Just as we can point to the 
men who assisted most in founding Cotner University ; 
as we can praise those who have stood at the head of 
the school in trying days ; as we can name with pride 
those who have stood as peers in the classroom, so 
can we point to J. W. Hilton as the one whose name 



Cotfier Redeemed 105 

should be honored above all others in leading the work 
of redemption of Cotner University.^ 

Other factors, however, assisted in making the en- 
terprise a success. Words of praise are due the 
churches for their loyalty. In every church was to be 
found an alumnus, an old student or a friend of Cotner. 
They rang true every time and did their best. 

The students in Cotner at that time should not be 
forgotten. They banded themselves together in an 
organization known as the Students League and as- 
sisted greatly by sending letters and information to all 
parts of the state. Those especially prominent in the 
Students League were J. W. Hilton, Grace Young and 
Frank Turner. At one time when it seemed that the 
task was hopeless, school was dismissed and the stu- 
dents returned to their homxe communities for one 
week to solicit funds 'for the university. None failed 
and many were very successful. By thus gathering the 
small sums and putting them into one fund a substan- 
tial gain was made. 



ij. W. Hilton was born in New York CHy March 27, 1867. 
His parents moved to Nebraska when he was eight years of 
age, settling upon a farm near Dorchester. His early schooling 
was meagre but he began teaching in the country schools in the 
winter months and working in a Dorchester bank during vaca- 
tions. The year 1887-1888 was spent at Fairfield College. After 
determining to pursue his education, Mr. Hilton with his wife 
and two children moved to Bethany in the fall of 1892, when 
he entered Cotner University as a preparatory student. One 
school year was lost on account of severe sickness but the 
college course was completed in 1898. Upon graduation Mr. 
Hilton was chosen by the Ways and Means Committee to travel 
for Cotner University to raise funds for the redemption of the 
school. Three of the six years of student preaching was for the 
East Side Christian Church of Lincoln. While preaching for 
the East Side church and four years for the Bethany church he 
was able to complete his work for a master's degree at the 
University of Nebraska and all but his thesis for a doctor's 
degree. In 1907 he was elected as professor of sociology and 
associate professor of Sacred literature at Cotner. After five 
years as a professor he resigned to lead the East Lincoln church 
to greater achievements. 



106 History of Cotner University 

At another time when faikire seemed imminent a 
new friend was found in the person of Alfred Allen. 
This young man owned an eighty-acre farm near Ris- 
ing City, Nebraska, which he offered to give to save 
Cotner. The Board of Trustees refused to accept the 
proffered gift feeling that it was too great a sacrifice 
for Mr. Allen to make. Thej^ felt it was too much to 
accept all of a man's property although it w^as gladly of- 
fered. The farm was valued at $2,000, one-fourth of 
this amount or $500 was accepted as a splendid gift. 
Mr. Allen's name should not be forgotten among those 
who made the recovery of Cotner possible. 

L. P. Bush as secretary of the college during these 
trying years, is deserving of special credit. He as- 
sumed this task upon the request of Chancellor 
Aylsworth, who had been acting in this capacity in 
addition to his other work. Mr. Bush served three 
years during w^hich time he was also pastor of the 
Bethany church or a professor in the college. One of 
the commendable features of his work as college sec- 
retary was the securing and collecting of sufficient 
pledges to keep J. W. Hilton in the field as financial 
agent. A host of other names should be mentioned if 
space would permit, among whom v/ould be Dr. S. L. 
Hubbard, F. L. Sumpter, Grace E. Young and William 
Sumpter. 

The last gift to be secured was also the largest one. 
It was the result of Chancellor Aylsworth's efforts that 
Horace Morse, a Colorado friend, gave $2,000 to Cotner 
University. While under normal conditions this gift 
would not be considered extraordinary, coming at the 
opportune moment it did, and at the close of the years 
of financial depression, Mr. Morse should be called a 
munificent benefactor of Cotner. 

As we re-count these names and events we should 
not forget the faculty who held the school together, 



Cotner Redeemed 107 

receiving almost no salary. At the head of this group 
stood W. P. Aylsworth ; bearing the burdens, forgetting 
the criticism, always with the one thought of saving 
Cotner University. 

After several years of economy, sacrifice and labor, 
$12,906.80 in cash had been paid to Mr. N. Z. Snell, 
trustee. Although there was a small amount yet to 
pay, by Mr. Hilton signing the following agreement 
the property was returned to its former owners : 
''Whereas, N. Z. Snell, trustee, has deeded to Freder- 
ick L. Sumpter and Thomas Rawlings, the campus and 
lots eight (8) and nine (9) in block thirty-nine (39) 
of Bethany to be by said guarantee deeded to the Ne- 
braska Christian University when incorporated, the 
agreed consideration for w^hich property, with other 
property described in the sheriff's deed of date Decem- 
ber 5, 1896, to said Snell as trustee Vv^as $13,750.00 of 
which $12,906.80 only have been paid and. 

Whereas, I have secured pledges which, when paid, 
will more than discharge the balance remaining un- 
paid, and 

Now therefore I undertake and agree with the said 
N. Z. Snell, trustee, that the said sums so pledged are 
a trust fund to be used in the payment of said balance 
only. 

And I further undertake and agree that I will con- 
tinue in the future as I have in the past to collect said 
pledges and secure additional pledges and collect the 
same until said balance is wholly paid to said N. Z. 
Snell, trustee. J. W. Hilton. 

The university property again belonged to the Chris- 
tian church. The small sum that was lacking was paid 
in full. It was absolutely free from the shackles of 
debt. From the day of redemption to the present no 
indebtedness has ever been placed upon the university. 
This has only been possible because of economy in every 



108 History of Cotner University 

way, particularly as to salaries paid for teachers. For 
many years they labored for $25 per month and some- 
times as low as $10 or $15 per month. 

When Cotner was released from indebtedness new 
life and force was instilled into the school. It was a 
time for great rejoicing. Students, alumni, teachers 
and friends all took up the cry of victory. 

''Now sweep the strings of passion lyre 
And tune a thousand tongues of fire; 
Lift up the song of Jubilee — 
Praise God, our Alma Mater's free. 
Let every heart responsive sing 
In true devotion to our King, 
And shout the Jubilee.'''^ 



iLast verse "The Jubilee Poem," by J. W. Hilton. 



CHAPTER XIV 

The Faculty at Work 

In the life record of each mature man or woman 
there are but few who have had to do with the direct 
molding and shaping of that life, although there are 
many whose influence must be counted. Among those 
who are most responsible for the future career are 
the teachers under whose supervision the plastic youth 
is placed. Fortunate indeed, is the student whose life 
is so directed that he may receive training under com- 
petent Christian instructors. "It does not so much 
matter what we study as with whom we study." As 
compared with the State University, the Christian col- 
lege usually offers smaller laboratories and fewer books 
but this is offset by the intimate companionship, coun- 
sel and oversight of men in whom broad scholarship. 
Christian faith and consecrated life form a consistent 
whole. 

Many factors enter into the formation of a univer- 
sity such as buildings, equipment, laboratories, 
libraries and endowment but by far the most import- 
ant factor is teachers. The original idea of a univer- 
sity was that of a teacher around whom a group of 
students had gathered. Whether a university was 
popular or commonplace depended upon whether a 
great teacher was in their midst or not. Students 
would pass from one nation to another in order to sit 
at the feet of a great teacher. Great teachers make 
p-reat universities ; poor teachers, poor universities. 
It is evident that a teacher is an important factor in the 
life of a youth and the most essential thing in a uni- 
versity. It is almost impossible to place too much em- 
phasis upon the importance of the faculty of an educa- 
tional institution. 



110 History of Cotner University 

During the twenty-seven years of Cotner's existence 
she has had fifty-five teachers in the regular College of 
Liberal Arts department with probablj^ as many more 
in the special departments. Of the regular instructors 
twenty-six have held the degree of Master of Arts ; 
twenty-five, Bachelor of Arts and only four have been 
without degrees. 

The work in the College of Arts at Cotner University 
may be roughly divided into eight departments. To 
old students, alumni and friends, the names of these 
teachers will recall many pleasant associations. 

Bible Department 
W. P. Aylsworth, A. M., LL. D., 

Head Professor 1889-1916 

D. R. Dungan, A. M., LL. D., 

Moral Philosophy 1890-1896 

L. P. Bush, A. M., Associate in 

Sacred Literature 1898-1901 1912-1916 

J. W. Hilton, A. M., Associate in 

Sacred Literature 1907-1911 

Mathematics 

J. A. Beattie, A. M.i 1889-1896 

G. E. Jones, A. M 1896-1897 

Wm. M. Reeves, A. M 1897-1916 

A. W. Osterhout, A. B., assistant 1910-1916 



1 James A. Beattie was born in Ashland county, Ohio, May 11, 
1845. He was educated in the public schools of Ohio, at an 
academy at Savannah, Ohio, and at Bethany College, West Vir- 
ginia. Dr. Beattie has held many important positions in edu- 
cational work. He has served as president of Oskaloosa College 
(Iowa); Nebraska State Normal at Peru; the Eastern Oregon 
State Normal and Hiram College, Ohio. For many years he 
was a professor at Cotner University, part of the time serving 
as Vice President. During the early days of Cotner, Dr. Beattie 
acted as field agent, selling lots, soliciting students and funds 
or working in the interests of the library. Professor Beattie 
is widely and highly regarded by the teaching profession as an 
educator of marked ability. At present he lives in Lincoln, 
Nebraska. 



The Faculty at Work 111 

History- 
Nora Madden, A. M 1893-1896 

A. D. Harmon, A. M 1896-1897 

Ellen B. Atwater, A. M 1897-1901 

F. T. Kincaid, A. B 1901-1902 

L. P. Bush, A. M 1902-1913 

L. A. Moomaw, A. M : 1913-1916 

English Literature 

Nora Madden, A. M 1893-1896 

Ellen B. Atwater, A. M ...1897-1901 

A. D. Harmon, A. M .1896-1897 

F. T. Kincaid, A. B 1901-1902 

Rilla G. Lane, A. B 1903-1904 

Beatrice Haskins, A. B 1904-1905 

Marv Clipfell, A. M 1905-1908 

R. d. Aylsworth, A. M . 1908-1910 

Bert Wilson, A. B....... . 1910-1912 

Cora Marsland 1912-1913 

Mrs. T. J. Fitzpatrick, B. S 1913-1914 

Josie Y. Osterhout, A. B 1914-1916 

Philosophy 

D. R. Dungan, A. M., LL. D 1890-1896 

W. P. Aylsworth, A. M., LL. D .1896-1902 

L. P. Bush, A. M .1902-1916 

Modern Languages 

Percy B. Burnet, A. M 1889-1893 

Martin Osterholm, A. M ...'.... ......1893-1896 

Grace E. Young, A. M 1897-1916 

Science Department 

T. J. Oliver, B. S 1890-1891 

S. A. Hoover, A. M 1891-1894 

N. A. Stull, A. M 1894-1896 

H. H. Jones 1896-1904 

D. C. Hilton, A. M 1904-1906 

Melvin R. Gilmore, A. M 1904-1911 

W. A. Dobson . : 1902-1903 



112 History of Cotner University 

Geo. M. Jacobs, A. B 1907-1911 

H. D. Shellenberger 1911-1913 

T. J. Fitzpatrick, M. S 1913-1914 

E. E. Smith, A. B 1913-1916 

E. F. Walker, A. M ...1914-1916 

Ancient Languages 

A. M. Chamberlain, A. M 1889-1891 

C. B. Newcomer, A. M .1891-1893 

J. F. Woolery, A. M 1893-1896 

Raymond G. Aylsworth, A. B 1896-1899 

Alvin E. Evans, A. M .1897-1901 

T. Milo Keith, A. M.i 1902-1914 

Lydia Wampler, A. B 1904-1916 

Ruth Lindley, A. M 1914-1916 

Kitty M. Austin, A. B., assistant..... .1899-1901 

Clara J. Austin, A. B., assistant ...1901-1904 

M. R. Gilmore, A. B., assistant . 1903-1904 



IT. Milo Keith was head of the Greek department in Cotner 
University for ten years. His training for this work was se- 
cured by taking the classical course at Cotner, graduating in 
1903 and by completing th© work for a master's degree at the 
University of Nebraska. Still being anxious to go higher he 
was working for a doctor's degree at the University of Chicago. 
Although frail in body, he was a splendid example of untiring 
energy and perseverance. At the time of his death Professor 
Keith was cashier of the Bethany State Bank, having given up 
his work in Cotner a few months before. A second stroke of 
paralysis brought death to this splendid man in the spring of 
1914, thus closing a life that was full of promise, at the age of 
thirty-three. The following clipping from the Cotner Collegian 
shows the esteem in which he was held: 

"Although his life was short, the thirty-three years of active 
work were not in vain and all who have known him will ever 
think upon his life as a benediction, as a wholehearted, true, 
steadfast, purposeful soul, who taught despite discouragements 
mastered not only Greek and Latin in a marvelous way and 
Although frail in body he was a splendid example of untiring 
taught them with a comprehension of one who wishes to im- 
press everyone with the importance of doing all things well, but 
he mastered the great problem of life, to be content to live 
well and nobly and to serve others." 



The Faculty at Work 113 

It is impossible for the historian to speak of the 
merits of as many teachers as Cotner has had, even 
though everyone were deserving. A committee has 
chosen eleven of the fifty-five teachers which it felt 
were deserving of special mention as a sort of Who's 
Who list of Cotner teachers. ^ This is in no way a dis- 
credit to the vast number of splendid teachers whose 
names are not mentioned in the list. The decision of 
the committee was based upon three things. First, 
their merit as real instructors ; second, the personality 
of the teacher and third, the length of time spent at 
Cotner. 

Who's Who Teachers at Cotner 

W. P. Aylsworth ....Professor of Biblical Literature 

J. A. Beattie Department of Education 

L. P. Bush.... Professor of Philosophy 

R. L. Hoff Department of Education 

T. Milo Keith Professor of Greek 

S. A. Hoover Professor of Natural Science 

Leon A. Moomaw.. Professor History and Social Science 

Josie Y. Osterhout Professor of English 

Lydia Wampler Professor of Latin 

Grace E. Young Professor of Modern Languages 

A student of each one of these teachers, who is a 
graduate of the school, has been asked to give his or 
her reasons for considering that instructor as a teacher 
of special merit. 

L. P. Bush.* He, who is entrusted with the Chair of 
Philosophy in a Christian school has a task, the pecul- 
iar problems of which are many of serious concern and 
ever on the increase. In the person of Prof. L. Penn 
Bush, I have found a man who, under the conditions 



iThe committee who chose the Who's Who teachers, requested 
that their names should not be published. Those who had a 
part in the choosing: were from the following classes: Three 
from the class of 1893, one from 1894, one from 1909, one from 
1911, one from 1913, and one from the class of 1916. 



114 



History of Cotner University 



is rendering an especially noteworthy service. His 
ability to set the student, who cares, eagerly to working 
out his or her philosophy of life is to me remarkable. 
Few services are greater than that of stimulating the 
students to dig down, as it were, into his own soul and 
think. — Robert A. Conley, '15. 




Mrs. Josie Y. Osterhout 

JosiE York Osterhout; One who conscientiously 
guides and directs the thoughts of her students into 
channels of life long usefulness. She is kind, sympa- 
thetic, practical, broad minded and progressive. From 
a book of hard cold facts she transforms the text into 
one teeming with life. Those who sit before her day 
after day, cannot help but be better men and women for 
having come into personal touch with such a Christian 
character. Her work will live long after she has left 
us. — Margaret Knapple, '16. 



The Faculty at Work 



115 




Professor R. L. Hoff 



R. L. Hoff; In all things was Professor Hoff thor- 
ough and systematic. When he assigned a lesson, the 
pupil realized he must work and it was always worth 
the effort expended. While Professor Hoff had his 
own views upon a subject, as should everyone who is 
really worth while, yet he was broad minded and al- 
ways willing to look at both sides of a question. He 
was a scholarly man and inspired his pupils to do 
things which amounted to something. Those things, 
which were learned in his classes, were never for- 
gotten. — Floss Strain, '16. 



116 



History of Cotner University 





Miss Lydia Wampler 

Lydia Wampler for eleven years connected with 
the department of ancient languages at Cotner Uni- 
versity, is a very efficient instructor. Her success is 
due to the fact that she is a true, sympathetic friend 
to each student with whom she comes in contact and 
she is master of her subject. Being a thorough efficient 
student not only in Latin, but also in the leading ques- 
tions of the day, she makes her teaching vital. — Josie 
Somers, '11. 



The Faculty at Work 



117 




Leon A. Moomaw 

Leon A. Moomaw is a highly successful teacher 
for two reasons ; first, he knows his subjects thoroughly 
and knows how to present them in a clear, concisive 
manner. Second, he understands his students and 
takes a very deep interest in their work. — Charles 
Streeter, '16. 



James A. Beattie; Scholarly, sympathetic, sincere. 
A true and tried teacher. Dr. Beattie impressed upon 
his pupils the seriousness of life and its problems. He 
inspired them to the achievements of the highest and 
best. He was a friend, counselor and example. — Nettie 
Sherman, '14. 



118 



History of Cotner University 







> 



S% 









•^ 




T. Milo Keith (deceased) 



T. MiLO Keith had a surprising understanding of 
his courses. Without a doubt he possessed a marked 
ability in being able to convey his knowledge to others. 
He has acquired an almost uncanny knowledge of the 
ability of his students and the efforts they were mak- 
ing, and with this knowledge he courageously proceeded 
to properly acquaint them with their mistakes and 
accomplishments in the work in hand. He showed no 
favor, and because of his insight, learning and appre- 
ciation of merit, he inspired many with the desire to do 
thorough and conscientious w^ork. — Clarence G. Miles. 



The Faculty at Work 



119 



William Prince Aylsworth; The measure of 
greatness of a teacher is his power to direct the im- 
pulses of his pupils. By this measure Cotner has had 
many successful teachers, foremost among them, Chan- 
cellor Emeritus Aylsworth. The great influence of 
this, ''Cotner's grand old man," is due not only to a 
scholarship that makes his exposition final but to a 
character which interprets to each student in his pres- 
ence the humble spirit of the Master Teacher. — Edith 
Burgess, '13. 




Miss Grace E. Young 

Grace E. Young.- Why is she one of Cotner's best 
professors? This is a question that is best answered 
by the unique place she holds in the hearts of all, who 
have been in her classroom. Thorough know^ledge, 
human sympathy and cheerfulness, all requisites of a 



120 History of Cotner University 

good teacher, are hers. She was always willing and able 
to give advice to those in her department. — Mabel 
McClintock, '13. 

D. R. DuNGAN was a natural teacher, able to enforce 
the salient points in a lesson by apt illustration and to 
dispel the clouds of misconception and doubts Vvith the 
sunshine of his wit and humor. He was exceptionally 
strong and at his best in teaching the Holy Scriptures 
and kindred subjects. His students could truly say of 
him that "he opened their minds that they might un- 
derstand the Scriptures." Many students are indebted 
to him for a clear and comprehensive knowledge of the 
Bible and for a vital faith in the Son of God, but none 
can repay him. He was positive and constructive and 
if he had doubts and theories he never taught them. — L. 
P. Bush, '95. 

S. A. Hoover.- Cotner University is proud to men- 
tion the name of S. A. Hoover as one of her leading 
science teachers. He was an educator of no mean 
ability. He will be remembered because he was a 
broad-minded Christian scholar and a man of culture. 
He was a great lover of science and to its investiga- 
tion, gave his life but he never lost faith in a Creator 
nor in the religion of Christ. He was indeed a great 
man; to know him was to love and honor him. — J. H. 
BicknelL '93. 

Many other names might be added to this list of 
teachers chosen by the committee. Professor A. M. 
Chamberlain, a member of Cotner's first faculty, al- 
though remaining for only two years, was a teacher of 
rare ability. Miss Ellen B. Atwater, one of Cotner's 
first graduates, was later one of her best teachers. 
Professor J. F. Woolery deserves special mention ; Pro- 
fessor Bert Wilson was a powerful m^an in his class- 
room ; William M. Reeves has given Cotner almost 
twenty years of splendid service proving himself a 
mathematician of exceptional ability. 



Faculty at Work 121 

A few words must now be written about the men, 
who have acted as president or chancellor of Cotner 
University. David R. Dungan was Cotner's first presi- 
dent. In the year 1890, when the first head was chosen, 
the Board of Trustees could have found no man, who 
could have brought more real support to the school than 
D. R. Dungan. For twenty-five years in Nebraska, 
he had labored as evangelist for the Christian church, 
many churches having been organized by him. Not 
only was he known in Nebraska but was prominent 
among the leading men in the Christian church in the 
United States. He was known as a great teacher of 
the Bible, which drew many interested students to 
Cotner. While Cotner was in the making, a man of 
this character gave the new school prestige among the 
Christian churches and over the country in general.^ 

The next chancellor, beginning his work in 1896, was 
W. P. Aylsworth. He was not to give to the school pres- 
tige or a place among colleges, but to save that which 
had already been gained. Cotner found in him a man, 
deliberate in action, firm in purpose and devoted to his 
task. As the past is reviewed, all instinctively feel that 
he was pre-eminently the man to lead Cotner Univer- 
sity out of the years of financial depression. Chancel- 
lor Aylsworth was not a man to launch out into big, 
new fields, but rather the one to lay a good foundation 
and upon it, to build cautiously and carefully. 

The last chancellor was William Oeschger, who began 
his work in September, 1910. It was his task to take 
Cotner after it had escaped from the snare of a finan- 
cial crisis and create around it an educational con- 



iDuring the year 1893 the Board of Trustees adopted a dual 
head-ship plan for Cotner. The two offices were called presi- 
dent and chancellor. A. E. Jennings was chancellor for one 
year. We have not included special mention of his name among 
the leaders of the school because of the short time of service 
and no far-reaching result was accomplished. 



122 History of Cotner University 

sciousness which would make possible a great univer- 
sity. The Christian church and school must be bound 
together and the Christian church colleges must clasp 
hands in a common cause. During the administration 
of Chancellor Oeschger this task has been accomplished. 
The churches and colleges of the Christian church are 
working in unison, shoulder to shoulder in a common 
cause in the form of the Men and Millions movement. 
Cotner was given a place in the educational world 
by D. R. Dungan ; was led safely through the dark years 
and given a strong structure or frame-work by W. P. 
Aylsworth; an educational consciousness or mass for- 
mation has been attained by William Oeschger and now 
Cotner is ready to enter into the field of great univer- 
sities. Each of these men, as chancellor, has accom- 
plished the task circumstances imposed upon him in an 
admirable way. 

The character and quality of the faculty have been 
delineated. The teacher is greater than his subject 
because of the life touch which he gives to it; yet the 
subject matter too, is important. Attention should 
therefore be turned to the faculty at work. 

At its beginning, Cotner University offered four 
courses of study in the College of Arts, viz : Clas- 
sical, Modern Classic, Scientific and Biblical. The title 
of each course in itself indicates the line of study upon 
which the greatest stress was laid a preference, how- 
ever, was allowed the student for, ''courses of study 
have been so arranged as to make ample provision for 
individual choice of lines of investigation and scholar- 
ship, affording in each case opportunity for liberal cul- 
ture and opening the way for special and technical 
training by means of elective studies and special 
courses."' 



^Annual catalogue of Cotner University 1889-90, pp. 22. 



Faculty at Work 123 

In the year 1896, a fifth course was added leading to 
the Bachelor of Arts degree with special emphasis 
placed upon the normal work. 

To meet the demands of a growing system of educa- 
tion, the courses of study were reorganized in 1898. 
The original classical coures was still retained for 
those desiring special work in Greek and Latin. The 
Biblical course was from this time on, known as the 
Sacred Literature course. For those intending to teach 
in the public schools the Normal Philosophical course 
was outlined. A course providing for the general need 
of the student was arranged under the name Philo- 
sophical course. Later the name of the Normal Philo- 
sophical course was changed to the Collegiate Normal. 
The school year was divided into three terms. Two 
hundred and five hours were required for graduation. 
With the year 1913, a change was made with re- 
spect to the length of class periods and amount of work 
to be completed before graduation. The system grow- 
ing out of this change is the one in use at present. 
Prior to this time the term system had given place to 
the semester plan as a means of dividing the school 
year. From the beginning of Cotner University the 
recitation period had been changed from thirty to 
forty-five minutes and lastly to fifty-five minutes in 
length. One hundred and thirty hours v/ere required 
for graduation. ''To enter the freshman year a candi- 
date must present thirty (one hundred fifty hours) 
high school or academy credits divided in the follow- 
ing manner: 

English 4 credits 

History (European) 2 credits 

Foreign Language 6 credits 

Mathematics .. 5 credits 

Laboratory Science 2 credits 

Elective Subjects 11 credits 



124 History of Cotner Univfirsity 

The program outlined for the student preparatory 
to graduation from the College of Arts is as follows: 

A. Retoric 4 hours 

Physical Training 2 hours 

Psychology 3 hours 

Ethics 4 hours 

New Testament History G hours 

Christian Evidences 3 hours 

Mother Tongue 10 hours 

Foreign Language 10 hours 

B. History 10 hours 

Sociology or Economics 6 hours 

Mathematics & Astronomy 10 hours 

Physical Science 6 hours 

Biological Science 6 hours 

C. General Electives 54 or 58 hours 

Each candidate for graduation is required to com- 
plete all the work under group A, and any four of 
the five divisions under group B. The latter must be 
completed by the end of the junior year. Not later 
than the beginning of the sophomore year, each stu- 
dent must select some one department in which he is 
to take a ''major" of not less than twenty four hours 
and not more than forty hours. ^ 

During the early years of Cotner University three 
degrees were granted, namely, Bachelor of Arts, Bach- 
elor of Letters, and Bachelor of Science. In order to 
receive one of these degrees the faculty required one 
year of actual residence work in the university imme- 
diately preceding graduation. The other part of the 
required work could be done in a different school capa- 
ble of doing creditable work, and the credits trans- 
ferred. 



^Annual Bulletin of Cotner University, 1915, pp. 26. 



Faculty at Work 125 

In 1893, the degree, Bachelor of Letters was discon- 
tinued and in 1898 the Bachelor of Science degree was 
also done away with. 

No effort has ever been made to build up a graduate 
school in Cotner, however, the Master's degree has been 
granted. The original plan was to award this degree 
to the individual, who had done one year's work in 
advance of a Bachelor of Arts degree or if he ''had 
engaged successfully in some literary or professional 
calling for three years. "^ In either case the student 
was required to present a thesis "upon some line of 
special study or investigation."- In 1904 the work for 
a Master's degree was permitted to be done ''largely 
in absentia." At present this policy has been discon- 
tinued and the faculty are very strict concerning work 
done in absentia. In reality the university authorities 
discourage graduate work. 

Cotner has been somewhat lax in her method of 
granting degrees. Her greatest weakness is not in this 
respect, however, but may be found in the laxness 
allowed in the classroom. 

The government of Cotner University is vested in 
the faculty. As a general principle they "regard the 
students as upright and honorable and treat them as 
such until their conduct proves the contrary. Good 
deportment, good morals and good habits are expected 
of all. The faculty assume that a generous confidence 
begets a generous response."-' For continued mis- 
demeanor in regard to study or habits, the student is 
subject to dismissal. 

The authorities of Cotner have always expected stu- 
dents to attend Sunday services. Chapel exercises 



lAnnual catalog of Cotner University 1889-'90, pp. 22. 
-'Annual catalog of Cotner University 1889-'90, pp. 22. 
^Annual catalog of Cotner University 1903, pp. 53. 



126 



Histo7'y of Cotner University 



consisting of singing, reading of the Scriptures and 
prayer are held each day. During a part of Cotner's 
history chapel attendance has been compulsory but 
most of the time it has been left optional with the stu- 
dent but with the urgent request that he attend. 

The following table gives the number of teachers in 
the Cotner faculty by years : 



1889 


six 


1898 


thirteen 


1907 


twenty-six 


1890 


eleven 


1899 


thirteen 


1908 


twenty-seven 


1891 


thirteen 


1900 


thirteen 


1909 


twenty-six 


1892 


thirteen 


1901 


sixteen 


1910 


twenty-seven 


1893 


fifteen 


1902 


nineteen 


1911 


thirty-two 


1894 


sixteen 


1903 


nineteen 


1912 


twenty-six 


1895 


thirteen 


1904 


twenty 


1913 


twenty-four 


1896 


sixteen 


1905 


twenty 


1914 


twenty-four 


1897 


eleven 


1906 


nineteen 


1915 


twenty-five 



CHAPTER XV 

Cotner's Departmental Schools 

A university may be likened to a tree. The main part 
or trunk leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. The 
branches of this tree are called departments. Besides 
the regular college courses leading to the Bachelor of 
Arts degree, Cotner has five departments which deserve 
special mention : music, commercial expression, normal 
and art. 

Music is a succession of sounds that pleases the ear ; 
it is real food for the soul. It is an art which cannot 
be mastered in a day or a month, but years are re- 
quired to fathom its wonders. 

Cotner University school of music was begun upon 
the same day that the university was opened for stu- 
dents. Mrs. W. P. Stearns was head of the department 
and instructor in instrumental music. She was assisted 
by Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Weber as instructors in violin 
and voice respectively. An excellent record was at- 
tained the first year. Out of a total enrollment of one 
hundred thirty-six for all branches, seventy-six took 
work in music. 

Cotner has had many teachers of marked talent. 
The following table gives the instructors in instru- 
mental music and voice from 1889 to 1916 : 

INSTRUMENTAL 

Mrs. W. P. Stearns... . 18B9-'91 

Maud Robinson 1891-'93 

May Z. Hughes 1893-'96 

Mrs. H. T. Sutton 1896-'97 

Mrs. F. L. Sumpter 1896-'97 

Myrtle D. Hulfish 1897-'02 

Lola Mix Sutton...... 1902-'07 

Luella Henderson (Kechley) 1902-'07 



128 History of Cotner University 

Gertrude Sumpter 1906-'10 

Edna Wright (Carry) . 1907-'12 

Maude Morrison (Murphy) 1908-'ll 

Bess Berg (Brokaw) 1910-'13 

Capitola Stone 1913-'14 

Edward S. Luce 1914 

VOCAL 

Mrs. Adolph Weber . ............. 1889-'90 

James E, Hawes ' 1892-'93 

G. H. Walters 1893-'96 

Mrs. Dr. Cotter... 1896-'97 

Charles R. Travis 1899-'01 

Olive B. Jarvis . 1903-'04 

Vera Upton 1904-'05 

Grace Trowbridge.. 1906-'07 

Mrs. R. G. Aylsworth 1907-'10 

John P. Mann 1910-'14 

Alma F. Taylor 1911-'14 

Elizabeth E. Luce.. 1914- 

During the entire history of the Cotner School of 
Music 1546 students have been enrolled, the following 
being graduates of this department : 

Mrs. W. J. Hanna.. ../94 Elsie Bankson (Ellis). .'09 

Katie Bedford '94 Mabel Avis (Perry) ....'09 

Gertrude Sumpter '97 Maude Morrison 

Dilla Owings '96 (Murphy) '09 

Luella H. Kechley '00 Ruth Van Derzee '09 

Grace TroAvbridge ..'00 Alma Perrine '11 

Mrs. Louise Bull '02 Grace Turner 

Alma Taylor '02 (Murphy) '11 

Bertha Owings Bess Fairley 

Aydelott ..... '02 (Workman) ..... '11 

Helen Currie. '02 Bessie Young ....'12 

Edna Wright (Carry). .'07 Gertrude Bartlett (v)..'12 

Carie Hubbard (Bash) '07 Leslie Strain (v) '13 



Cotner Departmental Schools 129 

Ada Burton Zella Grimm '14 

(Parminter) '13 Bertha Aydelott (v).-.'14 

Hettie Turner Clara Dill '14 

(Wilmeth) (v)... '14 Vera Anderson '15 

In recent years several oratorios have been rendered 
with much credit, among which were Handel's ''Mes- 
siah," Hayden's ''Seasons" and the English grand opera 
"The Bohemian Girl" by Balfe. At present the de- 
partment is managed upon a high plane of efficiency.. 
A band, orchestra, ladies glee club and male glee club, 
are all maintained in addition to the regular work. 

Music is manna for the aesthetic nature; it sets on 
fire the better self and awakens the spiritual life of 
man leading him into closer communion with God. 

COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT 

Shortly after the organization of Cotner University 
provisions were made for a business department. In 
1890, a large number of students were enrolled in pen- 
manship under Benjamin F. Stephens as instructor in 
that work. The reason for the establishment of a com- 
plete commercial school the next year is given in these 
words: "Frequent calls for instruction in short-hand, 
type-writing, penmanship, and other branches pertain- 
ing to a business education have led the Board of Trus- 
tees to offer a full business course and to assure com- 
petent instruction. While furnishing advantages of 
equal excellence, it will be remembered that these op- 
portunities can be had at Cotner University at less cost 
than elsewhere while at the same time the student is 
enabled to enjoy many advantages and associations of 
the university not attained in a regular business col- 
lege."i 

During the next two years the work was limited, 
although twenty-six students took advantage of the 
opportunity offered the first year. The work was under 



^Annual catalog of Cotner University 1891-92, pp. 23. 



130 History of Cotner University 

the direction of Prof. J. M. Howie until 1894, when 
G. H. Walters was made principal, which position he 
held for four years. During the school year of 1896 
commercial work was not given on account of severe 
financial stress. In 1897, J. D. Austin, with Sigel 
Matson as assistant, directed the work of the depart- 
ment. 

Commercial work was then eliminated for four 
years. A feeble attempt was made at reorganization 
in 1901, under the principalship of Miss Cora Bray, but 
failed on account of her resignation in a few months. 
The next year the Cotner Business School was organ- 
ized and Prof. A. W. Osterhout elected as principal. 
The assistant instructors, associated with him at var- 
ious times while he had charge of the department were, 
Elsie Adams (Lomax), Lillie Predmore, Edna Wright 
(Carry), Ena M. Sterling, C. E. Lemmon, Imogene M. 
Jacobs and E. R. Cornell. In 1909, a school of sten- 
ography was added under the direction of Prof. J. H. 
Walker. 

During the summer of 1910 the business department 
was entirely reorganized under the name of Cotner 
Commercial College. Prof. Osterhout having resigned 
to take up other work in the university. Prof. Walker 
was elected to fill his place. Courses of study were 
rearranged and new ones added. More room was as- 
signed to the department and modern equipment in- 
stalled, including business offices, commercial desks, 
typewriters of the latest models, a writerpress, a 
dictation phonograph and an adding machine. The 
instructors during this year were J. H. Walker, L. D. 
Nation and A. G. Longman, A. B. Sixty-two student 
were enrolled. The year 1912 marked a steady prog- 
ress which necessitated two additional rooms. Miss 
Nettie C. Gilmore was added to the commercial fac- 
ultv. 



Cotner Departmental Schools 131 

It is needless to say that the Cotner commercial de- 
partment was really incomparable with the past, be- 
cause of the spacious rooms and modern equipment 
which it afforded. Never before had there been more 
than three teachers, now four were giving their time 
to the work. A splendid group of students was not 
only receiving a thorough commercial training but 
also enjoying the privileges, associations and culture 
of university life which a business college was unable 
to give. A large per cent of men who are to-day en- 
gaged in what is caller "big business" are individuals 
of high Christian character. The young men and 
youno: women who receive a business education sur- 
rounded by the environment of a Christian university 
have a much greater chance of attaining success. 

L. D. Nation resigned in 1913 and his place was taken 
by Robert B. Lemmon, A. B. Fifty-four students were 
enrolled and a successful year finished. At the close 
of the year the commercial department was discon- 
tinued. It was, however, re-established in the fall of 
1914 on a small basis and placed under the direction 
of Prof. P. R. Stevens. Seven students were enrolled 
in the department last year. 

Six hundred eighty three students have been en- 
rolled in the Cotner commercial department during 
its various years of existence. Many graduates have 
gone forth to fill successfully, positions in the com.mer- 
cial world. 

Expression Department 
One of the attributes which distinguishes man from 
the animal world is the power of speech. Knowledge 
is wonderful but the ability to transmit knowledge is 
even more wonderful. Men of all ages have sought to 
develop the art we call, oratory. When the age of uni- 
versities dawned it became a part of their program. 
So it is and so it ever will be ; the gift of oratory is 
diligently sought. 



132 History of Cotner University 

Cotner's School of Eloquence had its origin in 1889. 
The first instructor was Miss H. Almena Parker. For 
the first few years the work of this department was 
carried on in the city of Lincoln. Time is required to 
perfect a business corporation or a manufactory ; thus 
it is with a university, it takes time to develop all of 
its varied interests. But Cotner grew steadily, new 
faculty members and new courses of study were added 
each year. Hand in hand with this general develop- 
ment went the expression department. 

Those who have had charge of this work as instruct- 
ors are: 

H. Almena Parker . 1889-'92 

Mrs. Emma O. Gregg . ......1892-'93 

H. T. Sutton ...1896-'97 

Lethenia E. Watson 1897-'02 

Miss Nellie Painter 1893-'96 

H. T. Sutton 1902-'07 

Ita E. Casey 1907-'09 

Mattie Russell 1909-'10 

Frances Miller 1910-'ll 

B. F. Shock (1st semester) 1911-'12 

Edith Anderson 1912-'13 

Marguerite Van Deventer 1913-'14 

Norma Jefi'ries 1914-'15 

Leon R. Snyder 1915- 

Throughout Cotner's history much interest has been 
taken in oratory, dramatics and public speaking. For 
a number of years declamatory contests were offered 
under the direction of the expression department. Pub- 
lic recitals have always been given an important place 
in the work. In the field of dramatics a number of 
plays of merit have been given. Prof. H. T. Sutton 
staged a wonderful production of his own composition 
entitled "Judas." Two Shakespearian plays ''Merchant 
of Venice" and ''Hamlet" were directed by Miss Casey. 
"Our Alma Mater" and "The Cricket on the Hearth" 



Cotner Departmental Schools 133 

were coached by Miss Russell and Miss Miller res- 
pectively. 

Upon the completion of three years work, the de- 
partment grants the Bachelor of Expression degree and 
for an additional year the Bachelor of Oratory. Those 
having received degrees are as follows : 

Lucy Cone.... '97 Ford Ellis ..-'09 

Elmira M. Wood '00 Bert Wilson '09 

Hannah Bell Morphet-.'OO Besse Van Buskirk '10 

Clyde Cordner '08 Hannah Jacobson '10 

James Beem '08 Leon A. Moomaw '10 

Each person must render an evening's program as 
one of the requirements for graduation. Several mon- 
ologues have been given. Clyde Cordner receiving the 
B. E. degree in '08 and the B. 0. in '11, presented 
'The Christmas Carol" and 'The Message from Mars." 
James Beem gave a strong rendition of ''Seven Oaks." 
Ford Ellis presented 'The Crisis" and Bert Wilson, 
'The Singular Life." Ralph Connor's "Prospector" 
was the basis for a monologue given by Leon A. 
Moomav/ in 1910. 

At present, at least four years of work are required 
for the B. 0. degree. The candidate must have satisfac- 
torily completed a four year high school course. Those 
in charge of the department realize, however, that a de- 
gree should be conferred only when efficiency is at- 
tained rather than upon the completion of a certain 
amount of work. 

Cotner Normal School 

In the prospectus of Cotner University a special three 
year course for teachers was announced. Those who 
outlined the scope of the work realized that they were 
living in an ever changing age, that those who were 
engaged in teaching, that is, the dissemination of 
knowledge, must be constantly reviewing and acquir- 
ing new knowledge in order to keep abreast with the 



134 History of Cotner University 

practical side. The normal work at Cotner was, 
in the beginning, quite meager. Prof. E. D. Harris, 
designated as instructor in preparatory and 
normal studies, and A. J. Reynolds, A. M., pedagogy, 
were the first to have charge of this work. The course 
was outlined with the view of meeting the needs of 
two groups. For those who desired review work, it 
was arranged to provide for any elementary branch 
when as many as eight or ten were to be benefited. 
To those working toward a certificate, a three year 
course was offered. In the early years no effort was 
made to give the specific principles and methods of 
education. Prof. Harris closed his work with the nor- 
mal department in the year 1894. No one w^as elected 
to take his place and for the next six years but little 
definite work was done although indirectly some nor- 
mal branches were taught. 

In 1901, the normal department was revived under 
the leadership of Charles S. Jones. It was completely 
reorganized and Prof. Jones was made dean of the 
department. A preparatory normal course was offered 
which was designed to give a thorough review or prep- 
aration for taking the regular three year course of 
advanced work which contained all the branches re- 
quisite for a state certificate. 

Upon the resignation of Prof. Jones before the close 
of his year's work, Mrs. Josie Y, Osterhout was elected 
principal of the normal department and began her 
work in the fall of 1902. An advance step was made 
in the method of teaching. In addition to the theo- 
retical courses a practice school was maintained a part 
of each year. Mrs. Osterhout remained at the head 
of this work for four years when Di. J. A. Beattie 
became principal of the normal school and Mrs. Os- 
terhout assistant principal. Advancement was being 
made each year, more stress being placed upon the 



Cotner Departmental ScJiools 185 

exalted work of the teacher, the principles under- 
lying the process of education and the methods of work. 
Upon the satisfactory completion of the normal course 
offered, Cotner University was permitted to grant the 
First Grade State Certificate. When a holder of such 
certificate had completed three years of successful 
teaching, a life certificate could be secured. Through 
the efforts of Prof. Beattie a splendid educational 
library was received as a gift from Abram Teachout, 
a wealthy business man of Ohio and ''one of the best 
friends Hiram College ever had." 

In 1912, another change was made and R. L. Hoff, 
A. B., became the head of the department of education. 
Under the supervision of Prof. Hoff, the department 
was modernized. In every phase of its work it met the 
requirements of the State Department of Education. 
After three years of efficient service, Prof. Hoff re- 
signed to be succeeded by Mrs. Thomas, wife of State 
Superintendent A. 0. Thomas. 

As one reviews the history of the normal depart- 
ment of Cotner university in the light of present day 
educational methods, there are many imperfections to 
be seen. However, it is not difficult to find imperfec- 
tions in viewing any past system. During the years 
when Cotner was struggling with educational prob- 
lems, the whole system was in the making. Cotner's 
work has always been based upon the standard set by 
the Nebraska state normals and has received the 
hearty endorsement of the state superintendent. In 
1890, A. K. Goudy, Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, says, ''I have been able to examine your proposed 
course of study for the normal department of the uni- 
versity and while this has been examined rather hur- 
ridly I am certainly safe in saying that it meets my 
approval and I am glad to know of another agency 



136 History of Cotner University 

whereby those preparing to teach in the public schools 
of the state may be better fitted for their work." Six- 
teen years later the statement of Superintendent J. L. 
McBrien indicates the good standing of the normal 
department. ''I am pleased to note that, beginning with 
the coming session of Cotner University, opening Sep- 
tember 10, 1906, it is the purpose of the management 
to establish a department of education in compliance 
with the requirements of law permitting the college 
to grant grade and professional certificates. Having 
gone over this matter, and believing your course of 
study, equipment and faculty meet the requirements of 
the statute for the recognition of your institution on 
the same basis as state normal schools and also upon 
the same basis as the state university, it gives me 
pleasure to give recognition to your institution on both 
these lines on and after September 10, 1906" In recent 
years under the efficient leadership of Prof. Hoff and 
Mrs. Thomas the work has met the approval of the 
state department in every way. The real test of ability 
is not in the course of study but to ''making good" in 
the school room. Cotner teachers are satisfying the 
demand. 

A few words concerning Cotner's Art Department 
should be given although it did not have its beginning 
with the first year of school nor has it been a complete 
department each year since its inauguration. 

Miss Lulu Murphy was the first instructor in the 
art department, in the year 1890. Anna Reba Drum- 
mond, Lucy Cone Waggoner, Professor H. H. Bagg, 
Mabel Davies Tookey, Mrs. R. L. Hoff and Mrs. Ida 
Bennett have been succeeding teachers. 

Professor Bagg is an instructor of rare ability in 
crayon, water color and oil painting. He has been con- 
nected with the art department of Cotner longer than 
any other teacher and is therefore deserving of spe- 
cial mention. 



CHAPTER XVI 

Outside of Books at Cotner 

When the years have passed and the wrinkles are 
furrowing the brow, just a little, and when there is 
a silvery tint to the hair, we shall all pause and think 
of the days of youth, and decide that college days were 
among the happiest and the best. Those days will 
stand out in our memory as does Demosthenes or 
Cicero in the world of oratory. 




Cotner University 

While we shall have forgotten much that we learned 
in the classroom, we shall never forget that oratorical 
contest or debate, in which we dreamed of first place 
but received nearer the last, in which we anticipated 
hearing the students cheer with 

What's the matter with 

He's all right. 
Who's all right? 



Three cheers! 



138 History of Cotner University 

And then there bursts upon the air another sound : 
White and blue, white and blue, 
What's the matter with old C. U. ? 
Blue and white, blue and white, 
Cotner Uni. ; she's all right. 

But perhaps we joined with the students in the cheer 
for the other fellow. 

The aim of a university is to produce a symmetrical 
man. To meet this standard an individual must be a 
disburser of knowledge as well as a possessor of it. 
In other words emphasis must be placed upon the abil- 
ity to acquire knowledge or scholarship, and also the 
ability to impart it or in other words, public speaking. 
An ability to appear well before an audience is ac- 
quired in many ways. One of the most effective is in 
oratorical and debating societies. 

Cotner Oratorical Association was organized during 
the school year of 1890-'91. It had for its purpose the 
holding of oratorical and declamatory contests. Soon, 
Cotner's organization became a mem.ber of the state 
association. ''During this period the State University 
was a member of the association. It seems that it was 
a foregone conclusion that this school would win every 
contest. It was openly stated that it would not be at 
all fitting that a large and substantial institution like 
the State University should be defeated by some de- 
nominational college, so no matter how strong the 
other speakers might be, the best they could hope for 
was second place. This was a source of much irritation 
to the smaller schools and many fierce combats were 
waged in the business meetings to secure fair play. In 
1894 the annual convention was held in the chapel at 
Cotner. All the afternoon the conflict raged. Cotner 
and the State were the principals and late in the aft- 
ernoon Cotner won out. But that night in the contest 
although Finch clearly outdid them all, Cotner was 
compelled to take second place. This seemed to be the 



Outside of Books at Cotner 139 

last straw. A year later Cotner withdrew from the 
association. The other schools did likewise, leaving 
the State University alone in her glory. Later a new^ 
state association was formed with a clause in the con- 
stitution debarring technical and professional schools. 
As the State depended almost wholly upon the em- 
bryonic politicians in her law-school for her success, 
she of course did not enter the new association." For 
several years Cotner was not a member of the new 
organization. These were the dark years when even 
her existence was doubtful. 

During the later years the workings of the State 
Association have been peaceful and harmonious. Cot- 
ner has almost always been represented in the state 
contest. Hugh Lomax has the honor, however, of being 
the only Cotner representative who has ever won first 
place. Miss Alice Gadd (now Mrs. A. D. Harmon) is 
the only Cotner lady who has the distinction of hav- 
ing represented her school in a state contest of any 
kind. During the last few years much more interest 
has been manifested in debating than in oratory. 

A list of Cotner representatives in the state con- 
test are : 

1891 J. H. Bicknell 1906 A. J. Hollingsworth 

1892 A. D. Harmon 1907 Howard Britt 

1893 Alice Gadd-Harmon 1908 John G. Alber 

1894 C. A. Finch 1909 Clyde Cordner 

1895 R. K. Beattie 1910 John G. Alber 

1900 C. A. Sias 1911 C. E. Lemmon 

1901 Hugh Lomax 1912 L, D. Christy 

1902 W. L. Mellinger 1913 R. C. Dady 

1903 W. L. Mellinger 1914 Orville Johnson 

1904 F. G. Hamm 1915 P. B. Cope 

1905 Hugh Lomax 1916 Orville Johnson 
Another associatoin which has given an opportunity 



140 History of Cotner University 

for the development of oratory and for inter-collegiate 
rivalry is the Inter-collegiate Prohibition Association. 
The object of the I. P. A= is to hold regular meetings 
in which debates, addresses, lectures and study classes 
are held in order to disseminate knowledge upon this 
great problem of the liquor traffic. A national associa- 
tion is maintained with headquarters at Chicago= Eight 
or ten men known as national secretaries are devoting 
their whole time to organizing and lecturing in the 
colleges and universities of the United States. There 
are now associations in over two hundred schools. 

As a part of its work it maintains an oratorical 
contest. Four series of contests are held, the local, 
state, interstate and national. The following colleges 
are in the Nebraska association: Hastings College, 
Hastings; Wesleyan University, University Place; 
Bellevue College, Bellevue; Central College, Central 
City; Grand Island College, Grand Island; York Col- 
lege, York; State University, Lincoln: Cotner Univer- 
sity, Bethany; Omaha Theological Seminary, Om.aha; 
Doane College, Crete; Luther Academy, Wahoo. 

In the central interstate contest the following states 
are represented : Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, South Da- 
kota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and 
Texas. 

In this field of oratory Cotner has won special prom- 
inence. The following are the Cotner orators and the 
place won in the state contest: 

1904 Hugh Lomax First 

1905 A, Jo Hollingsworth 

1906 Clyde Cordner 

1907 John G. Alber ..First 

1908 Ford Ellis ...First 

1909 Clarence Lemmon Third 

1<^10 Clyde Cordner First 

1911 Leon A. Moomaw First 



Outside of Books at Cotner 141 

1912 C. H. Thomson Third 

1913 No representative 

1914 Carl PerLee Second 

1915 No representative 

1916 No representative . 

Debating 

The Excelsior Debating Section was the name of a 
society organized in 1903. J. G. Pitts was its presi- 
dent; Floyd Bash, vice-president, and Elsie Adams 
Lomax, secretary-treasurer. This society held private 
meetings, except where a member brought an invited 
guest. A strict constitution was adopted by which the 
membership was limited in numbers. ''None but work- 
ers are wanted, and by the constitution they are the 
only ones that can long remain in the society" was the 
intention of those perfecting the organization. This 
debating club did not last long, however. 

Upon November 2, 1906, a mass meeting of all in- 
terested students was called which resulted in a new 
society in the university known as ''Cotner Debating 
Club." It had for its object a double purpose: first, to 
hold weekly meetings at which time various issues of 
the day might be debated; second, to encourage and 
arrange for inter-collegiate debates. During the first 
year much interest was shown in the weekly meetings. 
Since that time a regular class has been maintained in 
debating under the direction of a debating coach for 
which college credit has been given. This has taken 
the place of the weekly meetings. 

Since the organization of the Cotner Debating Club 
twenty-six inter-collegiate debates have been held. 
Out of this number the "White and Blue' has carried 
away eighteen victories and only eight defeats. 

Cotner's first inter-collegiate debate was held in 



142 History of Cotner University 

March, 1907, with Christian University, Canton, Miss- 
ouri. The question for debate was concerning our 
governmental policy in the Philippine Islands. Cotner's 
team defended the government in its present policy but 
were unable to convince the judges that they were 
right. The debaters were Clarence Alvord, E. M. 
Johnson and E. H. Longman. 

A history of Cotner's debating record would be in- 
complete without a word of commendation concerning 
H. 0. Pritchard, who was for six years the debating 
coach. Mr. Pritchard is a scholar, having received 
his B. D. degree from Yale in 1906. While in Yale he 
had laid special emphasis upon inter-collegiate de- 
bates. Mr. Pritchard developed in the student an 
analytical mind, an argumentative style, and an ability 
to form a logical conclusion. Perhaps no individual, 
aside from regular faculty members has done more to 
develop the student's mind, paving the way for success 
than H. 0. Prichard. The system of debate which he 
inaugurated coupled with determination on the part 
of the debaters has given Cotner a high standing in 
inter-collegiate circles. 

In 1908, Cotner arranged a triangular debate with 
Bellevue College at Bellevue and Doane College at 
Crete. Each of the three schools have two teams, one 
on each side of the question. Three debates take place 
the same evening, one at each school. This triangular 
debate is still held each year. For six years the annual 
debate was held with Canton, Missouri, but was then 
abandoned because of the long distance and expense 
involved. For the past two years Cotner and Ne- 
braska Wesleyan have met in the debating arena. 

The names of the Cotner debaters, the question dis- 
cussed and the decisions rendered will be given ac- 
cording to the year in which the debate was held : 



Outside of Books at Cotner 



143 



Opponent Cotner Debaters | 
f A. W. Rethmeyer 
Ray E. Hunt Won 

Chas. E. Cobbey 

A. W. Rethmeyer 
L. A. Moomaw 
Chas. E. Cobbey 

B. F. Lively 
Ray E. Hunt 
Bert Wilson 



Questions 



Canton 



Doane 



Bellevue 



Resolved, That the 

federal government 

should have exclu- 

Won,sive control of all 

corporations doing 

an interstate busi- 

„, ness. 
Won 



Canton 



Doane 



1909 
^Bert Wilson 

Ray E. Hunt 

Chas. E. Cobbey 

Bert Wilson 
C. E. Lemmon 
[Floyd Bash 
I^Ray E. Hunt 
Bellevue \ Dan C. Troxel 
Chas. E. Cobbey 



Won 



W^on 



LuSL 



Postal savings 
bank. 



1910 

X. E. Lemmon 

Canton \ Dan C. Troxel Won 

[Leroy Watson 

1^ Frank Wot en 
Bellevue \ Dan C. Troxel Lost 

[L. A. Moomaw 

'C. E. Lemmon 
Doane \ Leroy Watson Won 

0. H. Loomis 



Commission plan 
of City Government 



144 



History of Cotner University 



Opponent 



Cotner Debaters 

1911 
^, E. Lemmon 

Canton ^ Dan C, Troxel 
L. A. Moomaw 

Carl Knapp 
Bellevue -\ W. C. Radcliff 
[Clarence Miles 

rc. E. Lemmon 
Doane \ Dan C. Troxel 
L. A. Moomaw 



Questions 



Canton 



Bellevu; 



Doane 



1912 
^Rodney McQuary 
} C. E. Lemmon 
[P. B. Cope 

E. N. Griggs 
Dan C. Troxel 
R. C. Dady 

Rodney McQuary 
C. E. Lemmon 
P. B. Cope 



Lost 



Won 



Won 



Resolved, That our 
les-islation should be 
shaped toward the 
abandonment of the 
protective tariff. 



Won 

Resolved, That all 
judges, other than 
Wonjthe federal, should 
be subject to the re- 
call. 

Won 



Doane 



Bellevue 



1913 

C. E. Lemmon 

R. C. Dady Won 

C. H. Thomson 

fP. B. Cope 

E. N. Griggs Won 

C. E. Per Lee 



Resolved, That the 
trusts should be reg- 
ulated rather than 
be prohibited. 



Outside of Books at Cotner 



145 



Opponent 


Cotner Debaters 




Questions 


1914 






^Orville Johnson 
Bellevue <! Elmer Strain 






Lost 






Carl Per Lee 
^Luther Cobbey 




Single-tax. 


3oane 


Ernest Molloy 
P. B. Cope 


Won 





Doane 



Bellevue 



Wesleyan 



1915 
^Elmer Strain 
< L. A, Brumbaugh 
E. E, Eriorofs 



Lawrence Dry 
P. B. Cope 
0. E. Johnson 



I^P. B. Cope 
-< Lawrence Dry 
0. E. Johnson 



Won 



Won 



Won 



Government own- 
ership of railroads. 



Doane 



Bellevue 



Wesleyan 



1916 

rO. E. Johnson 

A Glenn McRae 
[Paul Kennedy 

Garland Nichols 
iklonzo Knight 
L. A. Brumbaugh 

fGlenn McRae 
L. A. Brumbaugh 
0. E. Johnson 



Lost 






Resolved, That ths 




UnitedStates should 




immediately and 


Lost 


substantially i n- 




crease her arma- 




ment. 


L Lost 





146 History of Cotner University 

Y. M. and Y. W. C. A. 

Many of the pleasant hours spent in college cluster 
about the Young Men's or Young Women's Christian 
Association. It is such organizations that drive away 
the loneliness that comes to the new student, who has 
left the old home. These two associations as world- 
wide movements have, from the beginning, been strong 
factors in elevating the ideals and strengthening the 
righteous purposes in the lives of young people. Happy 
is the young man or woman, who has come within the 
influence of the city or student association. 

The young women of Cotner University have been 
exceedingly fortunate in having the privilege of being 
identified with this great movement, for it has been 
a part of the school during almost the whole of its life. 
While school was yet being held in the dormitory, a 
state secretary came to organize a Young Women's 
Christian Association among the girls. Progress was 
made but slowly, however, until Miss Ada Barnes, 
then tri-state secretary, visited the Cotner associa- 
tion, lending help and encouragement and impart- 
ing a real missionary message. Much credit for 
the Lincoln city association is due to Cotner, for Miss 
Alice Gadd (Harmon) assisted Miss Barnes in that 
work in the spring of 1892. The work of the Cotner 
association advanced ; excellent prayer meetings were 
held ; earnest Bible study classes carried on and a 
wholesome social life prevailed. So strongly is the 
influence of this association felt that one mother among 
the alumni feels it in her heart to say *'one of the beck- 
oning hands bidding us bring our children to Cotner is 
the Y. W. C. A.." 

Some of the presidents of the Y. W. C. A. between 
the years 1890 to 1897 were Misses Alice Gadd, Addie 
Harris, Grace Young and Hannah Mcrphet. During 
the dark financial days, the Y. W. C. A. together with 



Outside of Books at Cotner 147 

most of the other organizations passed out of existence. 
There was a substantial revival of the association 
in 1902. In room seventeen a group of girls came to- 
gether in the fall of that year and an organization was 
perfected with Miss Mollie Enyart (Armstrong) as 
president. Soon every girl in the college, save three, 
were enlisted as members. The general conference of 
the Y. W. C. A. was then held at Lake Geneva, Wis- 
consin. Miss Lucile Ford was the first Cotner girl to 
attend this conference. The girls acting as president 
of the Cotner Y. ¥/. succeeding Miss Enyart were : 

Lillie Brunell Turner 1903-'04 

Lucile Ford 1904-'06 

Donna Enyart 1906-'07 

Lura Armstrong 1907-'08 

Ada Bash (Hunt) 1908-'09 

Wenona Wilkinson 1909-'10 

Ethel Ranney (Wilmot)..._.1910-'ll 
Minnie Young (Moomaw) ...-1911-'12 

Mabel Cutter (Packer) 1912-'13 

Ruth Dixon 1913-'14 

Flossie Strain 1914-'15 

Dale Ellis 1915-'16 

Alletta Brokaw 1916 

The work of the Cotner Y. V/. C. A. has grown con- 
sistently during all these years. Weekly prayer meet- 
ings have been held at which time some important 
topic pertaining to the practical side of life has been 
discussed b}^ the girls in general, or a special speaker 
has brought an inspiring message. 

The work of the local association has been delegated 
to various committees, with a competent girl as leader 
of each. Every member of the association is placed 
upon one of these different committees and thus be- 
comes acquainted with the numerous departments of 
the work. Miss Grace E. Young has for many years 



148 History of Cotner University 

been the advisory member from the faculty to the 
Cotner association and has been an invaluable aid to 
the progress of the work. 

The western students' conference is now held each 
year at Estes Park, Colorado. The inspiration of such 
a conference cannot but have a lasting impression 
upon the life of everyone who attends. The Y. W. C. A. 
has its own peculiar place in the college life of every 
girl and its influence does not end with college days. 

The history of Cotner Y. M. C. A. is very similar to 
that of the Y. W. C. A. The men have been equally 
fortunate in being identified with a great movement. 
The plan of work of the two associations is practically 
the same. The summer conferences were held at the 
same place only at different times of the year, first at 
Lake Geneva, then at Cascade and now at Estes Park, 
Colorado. During the very early days Cotner Y. M. 
was launched. Records of those days have not been 
kept but it seems the most earnest worker for the 
association was C. C. Drummond, now a missionary 
in India. 

As was true of almost every college organiaztion the 
Y. M. ceased, during the years of financial depression 
at Cotner University. In 1900 the work was reorgan- 
ized with Hugh Lomax as president. The membership 
was small, yet meetings were held every Sunday after- 
noon and many young men look back upon these as days 
of pleasure and profit. Many of those who have gone 
from Cotner's halls point to the Y. M. as a pov/erful 
factor in their lives. Some of the presidents which 
persons have been able to recall, for no records exist, 
are, R. Lyle Finch, Roy Young, Cleveland Kleihauer, 
Ray Murphy, Ernest Parminter, H. E. Neibiing, J. H. 
Walker, Henry Hanner, P. B. Cope, 0. E. Johnson, 
Winters Funck and Glenn McRae. 



Outside of Books at Coiner 149 

Cotner Athletics 

In a retrospection of Cotner athletics we could not 
tell of all the victories if we would and would not tell 
of all the defeats if we could. In the early nineties, 
athletics did not play as prominent a part in college 
activities as in the present period, therefore, Cotner 
w^as not as active in that line. Yet it is known that 
we were not asleep, for in 1893 the Cotner football 
team defeated Wesieyan with a score of 20 to 0. It 
seems rather humorous to-day to think of Lyle Finch, 
H. C. Armstrong, E. H. Longman, Leslie Lodwig and 
Roy Lucas in connection with Cotner athletic teams, 
yet they used to perform that function in a commend- 
able way. 

Among the names of baseball players of prominence 
in recent years in their respective positions, the fol- 
lowing are found: 

Pitchers— Parminter, Ling, Carrothers, Pirtle, Ford, 
Newman and Streeter. 

Catchers — Louis Ogden, Everett Ling, Shagool and 
Dry. 

Basemen — Ritchey, Troxel, Ray Murphy, Harrys 
Murphy, Guy Emery, Jester, Elmer Strain. 

Short Stop — Miles, Strain (Elmer), Shagool and 
Thomas. 

Field — Joe Smith, Ben Ogden, Siddons, Adams, 
Black. Raver, McPherson and many others. 

Basketball has not been prominent in Cotner for so 
many years. Cotner's greatest basketball team was in 
evidence in 1910 and 1911. The personnel of the team 
was: "Happy" Aspinwall, center, ''Mc" McCullough, 
"Ben" Ogden, guards ; "Pid" Parminter, "Lefty" Sid- 
dons, forwards. 

In 1910, not only did Cotner win the State Collegiate 
championship by winning every game, but won it by a 
two to one score, Cotner's total score for the season 
being 445 to 191 for her opponents. 



150 



History of Cotner University 



Score for 1910 



Cotner 36 

Cotner 51 

Cotner 48 

Cotner 28 

Cotner 42 

Cotner Q>^ 

Cotner 26 

Cotner 43 

Cotner 30 

Cotner 36 

Cotner..... 39 



Peru 18 

York 10 

Tarkio 12 

Highland Park 26 

Hastings 19 

Kearney 17 

State University 22 

York 12 

Highland Park 16 

Peru 15 

Tabor, Iowa 23 



In 1911 not only was the Cotner team victorious over 
the colleges of the state but proved themselves the 
undisputed champions of the Missouri Valley. 
Basketball Score Card for 1911 



Cotner 33 

Cotner 29 

Cotner 45 

Cotner 35 

Cotner 46 

Cotner 43 

Cotner 39 

Cotner 30 

Cotner 35 

Cotner 35 

Cotner 65 

Cotner 14 

Cotner 14 

Cotner 25 

Cotner 48 



Y. M. C. A., Lincoln.... 31 

Omaha University 10 

Kearney 18 

Nebraska 17 

Highland Park 17 

York 16 

Doane 21 

South Dakota 17 

Kearney 16 

Kansas 26 

Peru 15 

Highland Park 15 

Omaha University 16 

Peru \ 20 

York 24 



Good basketball players have been on Cotner's floor 
since the famous quintette. Ed. Britt, Avery Morton, 
Glen Leavitt, Rollin Squires, Elmer Strain, John Sha- 
gool and many others have upheld Cotner's colors in 
an admirable manner. 

The 1916 basketball players were Clyde Darner, Lee 



Outside of Books at Cotner 



151 



Neuman, Francis Knapple, Paul Britt, Ted Strain, 
Frank Brokaw, Paul Thomas and Earl Parminter. 

Season's Record 



Cotner 38 

Cotner 25 

Cotner..-. 30 

Cotner 38 

Cotner 16 

Cotner 21 

Cotner 28 

Cotner 11 

Cotner 12 

Cotner 19 

Cotner 19 

Cotner 19 

Cotner 25 

Cotner 23 

Cotner 17 

Cotner 12 

Cotner 22 

Cotner . 23 



Old Stars 4 

Old Stars 13 

Tarkio 25 

Omaha . 11 

Peru 39 

Tarkio 19 

Omaha 8 

Wesleyan 39 

Peru 7 

Wesleyan 38 

Grand Island 19 

York 21 

Kearney 19 

Hastings 16 

York 16 

Grand Island 18 

Kearney 29 

Hastings 10 



In football Cotner has never had a winning team in 
every game but has held her own against schools of her 
size. The score cards for the years 1913 and 1915 are 
representative of the work done. 

1913 

Doane 14 



Cotner 7 

Cotner 

Cotner 

Cotner 5 

Cotner 14 

Cotner -... 54 

Cotner 56 

Cotner 13 

Cotner 9 

Cotner 



Bellevue 

Weslej^an 48 

Omaha University 6 

Kearney 10 

Peru 

Hastings 

1915 

Bellevue 2 

Kearney 33 

Doane 12 



152 History of Cotner University 

Cotner... 7 Omaha - 

Cotner — . Hastings 39 

Cotner. 27 York 27 

Literary Societies at Cotner 
The first literary society known to Cotner was the 
Christian Rhetorical which began in 1889. The C. R- 
Society was born to live but one year for it ceased to 
exist in June, 1890. J. H. Bicknell was the first presi- 
dent. The officers for the second semester of that year 
were S. A. Groat, president; L. P. Bush, vice-presi- 
dent; Miss Groat, secretary, and Charles Hazelrigg, 
treasurer. During the winter of the first year at Cot- 
ner a Bible society was formed with Dr. Aylsworth 
as its promoter. The inception took place in the din- 
ing room of the present dormitory, and the name was 
Mathesian, meaning ''disciples" or ''learners." It w^as 
fundamentally a Bible society, a part of every program 
was the reading of the Scriptures, prayer and a sermon 
by a member of the society. The following is an exact 
copy of a literary program given at Cotner's first com- 
mencement : 

Programme of the C. R. and Mathesian Societies of 
Cotner University, Lincoln, June 18, 1890 

Vocal Solo Mrs. Weber 

Invocation Prof. W. P. Aylsworth 

Oration, "The Puritan and the Cavalier" 

J. H. Bicknell, Bloomington, Indiana 

Recitation, "The Legend of the Organ Builder"... 

.....Miss Grace Martin, McCook, Nebraska 

Violin Solo Prof. Weber 

Criticism, "The Book of Hebrews" 

Miss Alice Gadd, Bethany Heights, Nebraska 

Recitation, "Mucklittle's Boy" 

Miss Effie Hale, Craig, Nebraska 

Piano Solo Miss Culbertson 



Outside of Books at Cotfier 153 

Essay, ''American Women" Miss Blanch Gregory 

Oration, ''The Impending Crisis" 

William Oeschger, Valparaiso, Nebraska 

Vocal Solo Mrs. Weber 

During the second year of school there was a desire 
for a purely literary society. A very unique method 
was adopted for the starting of two organizations. 
The names of six students were placed in a hat and 
drawn out, forming two comxm.ittees of three each. 
Arthur Munson, William Oeschger and Alice Gadd 
were the committee to canvass the students to secure 
members of a new society to be called the Delphian. 
J. H. Bicknell, R. W. Abberley and F. L. Sumpter were 
to act in the same capacity but their society was known 
as the Athenian society. These organizations flour- 
ished until the crisis of the nineties. 

A little of the humorous side of society life creeps 
into a letter written by Mrs. Alice Gadd-Harmon about 
literary societies. The students of older days will un- 
derstand, while those of recent years can do as she 
says, "ask your chancellor, registrar or Dr. Aylsworth 
about a certain literary organization that "died young." 
"I was a charter member of everything but the Athen- 
ian society. That was a very inferior society 'in the 
beginning/ All the talent belonged to the Delphian 
society. But many warring members made trouble so 
the best, brainiest Delphians brought into existence an 
organization that would have won fame, honor and 
reputation for the school but the blind faculty 'saw it 
not' so the infant died. All this combined brain went 
into the Athenian society and it grew in numbers and 
wisdom from that hour. It was in the early days of 
our literary societies that your chancellor (Oeschger) 
used to have the 'goddess of Liberty dance her golden 
slipper off' twice every meeting." 

The Mathesian Literary society is the only organ- 



154 History of Cotne?' University 

ization of any kind that stood the test of the crisis 
years, having been organized during the first year 
of Cotner's history and at present has its weekly meet- 
ings every Friday night. It is not now a Bible society 
as in the beginning but a purely literary organization. 
The first officers were R. W. Abberley, president; H. 
G. Wilkinson, vice-president; Miss Gregory, secretary, 
and William Oeschger, treasurer. The second year 
William Oeschger was elected president. During the 
early years a list of the officers was not available but 
the records have been preserved since 1 906 : 

President Secretary 

Donna Enyart 

G. C. Aydelott .._..Floyd Bash 

E. M. Johnson Elsie Bankson 

C. W. Longman Mable Davies 

Ed. Kechley Chloe Dill 

Bert Wilson ...Lura Armstrong 

Leroy Watson Elsie Morton 

Thomas Perry Maude Morrison 

Robert Lemmon Vera Moomaw 

Leon Moomaw Mary Hilton 

Mary Hilton Harry Weekly 

Avery Morton Gertrude Baldwin 

C. H. Thompson . Ruth Dixon 

Nelle Gingles -- Elmer Strain 

Lela Witham . Frank Hanner 

Elmer Strain Cleo Dixon 

Pearl Swartwood Lennie Brumbaugh 

Harry Weekly Dale Ellis 

Floss Strain. Everett Ward 

L. A, Brumbaugh.. Celia Elliot 

With the death of the Athenian and Delphian so- 
cieties in 1^96, a new society was born in the spring 
of 1897. This received the cognomen, Philomathian. 
After 1903 the presidents and secretaries were as fol- 
lows : 



Outside of Books at Cotiier 155 

Presidents Secretaries 

Roy Lucas 

E. E. Smith- Mabel Wilson 

Hugh Lomax Clara Aylsworth 

Clara Aylsworth Elmer Child 

Kenneth Roland Elsie Britt 

Clare De Forest John Alber 

Austin Hollingsworth Helen Demarest 

Orville Johnson Elsie Britt 

J. E. Smith Theodosia Camp 

Elmer Child Verna Holmes 

H. L. Britt Alma Perrine 

Clarence Miles Bess Kirk 

0. H. Loomis Ethel Ranney 

Helen Demarest Ernest Parminter 

Homer Young Florence Leavitt 

Ethel Ranney Rollin Squires 

Dan Troxel . Madge Hill 

J. M. Packer Mabel McClintock 

Clarence Lemmon Hope Black 

Ernest Molloy Anna Oeschger 

Harry Hill Edna Ranney 

Orville E. Johnson Vera Anderson 

Lawrence Dry Bessie Adams 

Charles Streeter Ada McKinney 

Glen McRae Alletta Brokaw 

The literary societies of Cotner have always existed 
for the purpose of advancing literary standards among 
her students. Individual students in preparation for 
the weekly programs have done research and original 
work which has been an invaluable aid to them in their 
later activities ; ease and grace upon the platform have 
been acquired. In the early days the societies had 
regular meeting places as now. The present Philo Hall 
was then the Athenian Hall ; the Mathesian, the Del- 



156 Histo7'y of Cotner University 

phian, and the room now occupied by the Expression 
department was the Mathesian Hall. 

At present there is an Athenian Literary society 
which was organized in 1911. Only Cotner Academy 
students are eligible to membership. Its object is the 
cultivation of literary ability and the development of 
public expression. 

Sneak Day 

''Sneak Day" in the real sense of the word origin- 
ated in the spring of 1903, when the college class of 
1907 was yet the senior academy class. This was the 
largest class in school and noted for its vim and vigor. 
The rivalry in the school w^as between this class and 
the remaining student body. 

The chief instigators in the planning of a picnic for 
the faculty and students, with the exception of the 
senior academy class, were Edward Clutter, Roy Lucas 
and E. J. Sias. Persuaded under manifestation of 
arms, Chancellor Aylsw^orth and most of the other fac- 
ulty members followed in the wake of these leaders. 
On that early spring morning they did actually sneak 
away to Steven's Creek, leaving Miss Grace Young 
with a recitation class composed of members of the 
senior academy class, and those closely affiliated with it 
and Miss Willie Walker, a teacher with a class similarly 
composed, as the only ones to carry on school that day. 
But of course they didn't ''keep" school. Hastily pre- 
paring a lunch, the undaunted group left behind re- 
paired to the picnic grounds at the State Farm. The 
day was reported "delightfully spent" by each pleasure 
seeking group. The only cause for grief to those at 
the Steven's Creek grounds was the strange disappear- 
ance of three of the horses making up the teams, which 
conveyed the party to its pleasure resort. The al- 
leged thieves of course were immediately suspected as 
being members of the State Farm picnicing party. It 



Outside of Books at Cotner 157 

did seem very likely that if Cleveland Kleihauer and E. 
M. Johnson were to be tried before the bar of justice, 
they would be found guilty. 

From this brief sketch, we have a slight idea of 
what the first Sneak Day was like. Since 1903 there 
has been an annual gala day participated in by students 
and faculty alike, and has ever been one of the long 
to be remembered days of each year. The plans have 
been under the auspices of the senior class for each 
particular year, Steven's Creek being the place where 
with but few exceptions, the picnic has been held. 

Things You Want to Know 

The University Song 

Chorus 

For we are jolly students of Nebraska land; 

We've got the sand. 

Our colors, they are white and blue; 

And we belong to Cotner University, Rah, Rah, Rah, 

Where the students dare and do. (Repeat.) 

You may talk about your colleges, fair Harvard and 

old Yale; 
And all the universities whose banners brave the gale. 
There's the azure flag of Cambridge and old Oxford's 

noble blue 
That wave in far off England over hearts both brave 

and true. 
From the sunny shores of Frisco up to distant Portland 

Maine ; 
Away off to the Philippines and aw^ay back home again, 
There's no college, university or school can ever show 
So brave, so true, so great a crew of students as we 

know\ 

On a glorious morn with a victory won, there broke 
a glad refrain, 



158 History of Cotner University 

Into the world a school is born and Cotner is its name. 
Our colors float in grandeur over south, north, east and 

west, 
Our graduates are widely known, their training's been 

the best, 
And where the scenes of conflict rage, you'll find until 

the last, 
Old Cotner's colors in the field, to meet the stormy 
blast. 
And in the many countries where Old Glory comes to 

view. 
We also mean to plant a stake for Cotner's white and 

blue. 

The University Yells 

Cotner, Cotner, Cotner, the 

Cotner University 

Don't you see? 

White and Blue, White and Blue, 
What's the matter with old C, U. ? 
Blue and White, Blue and White, 
Cotner Uni, she's all right. 

C. U. Rah Rah 
C. U. Rah Rah 
C. Rah U. Rah 
C. U. Rah Rah 

The University Colors — Blue and White 



CHAPTER XVII 

Clippings From the Cotner Exponent 

As Cotner University grew in "numbers and wis- 
dom" a need was felt for a medium through which 
student activities might be transmitted. In order to 
meet this need the students had talked of a college 
paper as a means. This idea took tangible form in 
April, 1893. The following is suggestive of the plan 
adopted and the editorial staff for the first year: 

THE COTNER EXPONENT 
Published monthly by the students of Cotner 

University 

F. L. SUMPTER, Editor 

Assistants : 

A. J. Dungan Locals 

Miss Alice Gadd Literary 

Wm. Oeschger .....Field Notes 

H. J. Johnson, Business Manager 

Subscription, one year in advance $.75 

Single copy .10 

Entered at Bethany P. 0. as second-class matter. 

Editorial 
For a number of years Cotner University has felt 
the need of a good representative college paper. Many 
times have different students talked the matter over, 
but each time we have failed in seeing how we could 
make it pay expenses. At last we have succeeded. 
We have gone to the most enterprising business men 
of the city, laid the matter before them, explained that 
we have about 300 students and 200 residents, and con- 
vinced them that it will pay them, to advertise with us. 
Now they have done their part, and done it well and 



160 History of Cotner University 

liberally. As far as they are concerned the Cotner 
Exponent is a success. The rest remains for the stu- 
dents and friends of Cotner University. 



Clippings from the Cotner Exponent will carry to 
the students of Cotner's initial period a message which 
will be keenly enjoyed because of the personal touch 
with the school in those years ; to the ones of the later 
period they will present a picture of the days other 
than those of which they were a part. 

Locals 

Mr. Frank Barrow, formerly a student of Cotner, 
but at present the editor of the Bennet News, visited 
Cotner on the 4th. 

Motto of the Theological Students : 
''Count that day lost whose low descending sun 
Views at thy hand no eight dollars and expenses won."^ 

It has been hinted that there is to be another society 
this term, viz: 'The Bald-Headed Bachelors." First 
meeting in the music room. 

Professor: "Please preserve a little more silence in 
this library, as Miss Hemry would like to study." 

There are fifteen houses in process of erection at 
Bethany Heights. Hurrah for Cotner university. 

Another occasion of great rejoicing was the victory 
of Cotner's baseball team over that of the Wesleyan 
University. It has been the boast of that institution 
when we made them see stars in the football game, that 
they could just whip us on the diamond. We never 
thought so, and just for fun scared up a scratch team 
and went over Friday, October 6. The players were 
as follows : Brown, catcher ; Darby, pitcher, Hillis, 
first base ; Pile, second base ; Wilmeth, third base ; 
Dune-an, R. A., right field; Dungan, R. M., left field; 
Smith, center field; Stratton, short stop. 

Is Schell also among the preachers? Verily, what 



Clippings from Cotfier Exponent 161 

strange things are coming to pass in these last days. 

The students would be pleased to hear from the "Sea 
Side Quartette" and so the gentlemen composing that 
organization may expect to be called upon in chapel 
some morning. 

Chancellor Jennings started east Feb. 17, on an ex- 
tended visit to work for the university from a financial 
standpoint. His success is fully expected and our uni- 
versity will be placed on a footing to do much better 
work in the future than it has done in the past. 

The Exponent often gave the orations of Cotner's 
representatives to the state contests. In 1893 Miss 
Alice Gadd was Cotner's orator. Her subject was ''The 
Work of the American Women." 

''0, noble man, thou art indeed worthy of the crown 
which decks thy brow ! Thou has gloriously accom- 
plished the work which God has given thee to do ! But, 
alone, thou art inadequate for the great work of today ! 
In the youth of history the value of woman as a help- 
mate began to be appreciated. Is she not now capable 
of rendering the needed assistance ? In disposition she 
is kind, sympathetic, affectionate, true and forebear- 
ing. God truly could never have given man anything 
more worthy of his love and protection than He did 
when He allowed the angel of purity to assume the 
form of woman, and consenting to her pleadings in 
behalf of the lonely man, permitted her to take up her 
abode in that garden, called after she had come to 
dwell there, the garden of Paradise." 

Prohibition Oratorical Contest 1893 
"William Oeschger spoke on 'How to Vote.' He 
spoke earnestly and with feeling. The cheers of the 
audience indicated their appreciation. A piano duet 
by Misses Stephens and Rush showed great skill and 
was greatly enjoyed. The next number was a recita- 
tion by Miss Jessie Dillon, entitled "The Spanish Duel." 
Cotner people never tire of hearing Mies Dillon and this 



162 History of Cotner University 

was one of her best efforts. The Harmonic Quartette, 
composed of Messrs. Flatter, Dungan, Nesbit and Hil- 
ton, rendered ''The Tar's Farewell." They responded 
to a hearty encore with "Simple Simon." By the time 
the program was finished the decision of the judges 
was ready. Mr. Oeschger received first place and will 
represent Cotner University in the state prohibition 
contest May 13, 1893." 

Oratorical Contest 1894 
"A Problem of the Ages" by R. Kent Beattie 

''Hark, the echoes of the approaching conflict come 
faintly to our ears. From the pine-clad shores of old 
New England to the sunny w^estern slopes of the 
Sierras, we see the gradual awakening from the sleep 
of apathy into the full glory of energetic action. Shall 
we lag behind? No. The man is thrice a coward who 
deserts his country now. Answer manfully to your 
country's call, as have your fathers in times before. 
Let us then press onward to victory with the watch- 
word upon our lips, that glad triumphant cry, the 
patriot's song of freedom, "America for America." 
Clippings from the History of the Class of '93 

The history of the class of '93 is a history of Cotner. 
Christian University, as it was then called, begun 
school October 6, 1889. We then occupied the yellow 
house southeast of the campus, known as "Uncle Tom's 
Cabin." The faculty consisted of Vice-President Ayls- 
w^orth. Professors Chamberlain and Harris and Miss 
Parker. In January we were promoted to the dormi- 
tory. We were exceedingly proud of our new quarters. 
At first the janitor lived in the basement just across 
from the chapel, otherwise known as the dining room. 
Mr. Scott and family indulged in cooking cabbage two 
days and cooked onions three days of the school week. 
In January we were also delighted by an addition to 
our faculty. Professor Burnet was very cordially 
welcomed. We only wished there could be several 



Clippings from Cotner Exponent 163 

more. The first of the spring term we entered the uni- 
versity building. There was much joy over this and a 
jubilee held. The students were of a very literary 
turn of mind and early in the fall term the C. R. so- 
ciety was organized. Mr. Bicknell was elected presi- 
dent. 

During the month of May the sophomore and second 
preparatory classes gave a banquet in honor of the 
class of '93. It was an elaborate affair and will always 
be remembered with pleasure. * '^ Our history is ended. 
I have not taken space to tell of the positions held by 
the members nor of their rank in class work. Our 
work is known to the students. Our three young men 
leave school to enter the ministry. If history included 
prophecy I would predict a successful future for each 
of them. We leave with more sadness than joy. We 
entered as tiny streams this reservoir of learning; we 
leave with stronger currents and purer waters. We 
enter the great ocean of life each to flow in its chosen 
channel. Happy, laborious, beneficial school days, 
''goodbye." Helpful, dear and noble students ; loving 
kind and competent teachers "farewell." — Class His- 
torian. 

Extracts from Medical Commencement Address 
by Dr. E. J. Latta 
''I have often spoken to you of certain habits, and I 
feel constrained on this last occasion to refer to them 
again. If you have acquired a habit of using tobacco, 
my advice is to abandon it. You can easily do it. It 
requires no more will power than it does to steady the 
hand, when you are compelled to wield the surgeon's 
knife. Abandon it for the sake of your own health — 
abandon it because it is a vulgar, filthy practice — but 
especially abandon it because the smell of it from your 
breath and clothing will make your lady patients sick 
every time you approach the bedside, and you don't 
want to be an object of disgust. 



164 History of Cotner University 

When business accumulates as it often v/ill in what 
are called sickly seasons, and you are compelled to go 
through storm and night ; when you are tired amost to 
prostration, and the damp winds chill the very marrow 
in your bones, you will say to yourself, and with some 
show of reason, that *'if a man ever needed a stimulant 
I am that man ; a little alcohol will warm and do me 
good." For a few times it might; but I adjure you, 
touch it not, for those times when you think you need it 
will come too often ; the serpent will get in his work. 
The habit may form which will carry you rapidly to 
a drunkard's grave before you have lived over half 
your days. You know that I am not a fanatic on this 
subject, but feel it a duty at this parting hour to speak 
of the experience of many young men who entered upon 
the duties of the profession when I did, and since, some 
of whom are in their graves from this cause nearly 
twenty years. Shun that which will steal away your 
brains and send you speedily to an imbecile's grave. 

And now, as the time has come when our relations 
as teachers and pupils must be severed, we do it with 
the most profound regrets. Not but that we rejoice 
with you in your having completed your college course, 
v/hich makes you the equals of other physicians in pro- 
fessional standing. But there is a sadness about part- 
ing with friends with whom we have been so intimately 
associated during years that are past, especially when 
that parting may, and probably will be the last. Be 
brave ever to oppose the wrong, always strive to do 
right; acquit yourselves like men, and be assured that 
you will always have our best wishes for your success 
and happiness in this life and the great beyond." 

As you finish reading this short chapter, just pauss 
for a few moments, read between the lines many other 
events which are not here recorded, then dravv^ a bi^ 
breath of the ''old Cotner spirit," sweetened by the 
fragrance of past memories, and push on with a 
broader smile. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

Clippings From the Cotner Collegian 

Perhaps a more loyal, progressive group of young 
men and women was never gathered in one place than 
those enrolled as Cotner students. Most of the move- 
ments for the advancement of university life have 
been initiated by the student body. One of the vital 
factors in universitiy activities since 1902 has been the 
Cotner Collegian. The beginner of this college paper 
was Miss Myrtle King, then a student of Cotner, now 
Mrs. G. J. P. Barger, a missionary at Bolenge, Africa. 
While in high school Miss King had learned the print- 
er's trade, and after an apprenticeship in the job and 
newspaper office of her brother-in-law, she began news- 
paper work for herself. In January, 1902, she en- 
rolled for a business and Bible course at Cotner. Hav- 
ing a hand printing press she established a job print- 
ing office in Bethany the following June and in the fall 
initiated the Cotner Collegian. From the beginning 
Miss King won the hearts of all by her quiet, affec- 
tionate ways and from that time to the present the 
little paper has filled an important function in college 
life. 

The first Collegian editorial staff was as follows : 

Myrtle G. King Editor and Publisher 

Contributing Editors 

General News T. Milo Keith '03 

Religious Alma Demarest Sias '06 

Mathesian Biblical Society Bert Wilson 

Philomathian Literary Society Elsie N. Reddick 

Athletic. -.. -.-..R. Lyle Finch '07 

Music .....Prof. Lola Mix Sutton '04 



166 History of Cotner University 

Local and Personal, — 

Mollie Enyart '07 
Roy 0. Young '06 

Alumni — Prof. Grace E. Young '97 

The second year marks a change in the management 
of the paper. During the first year it had, to an extent, 
been a private enterprise now it becomes a student pub- 
lication. An editorial in September, 1903, explains the 
change. ''The beginning of the fall semester marks 
a change in the management of this organ. Hitherto 
Myrtle G. King has been its editor and proprietor. 
Henceforth the publication will be controlled by the 
student body of Cotner. At a mass meeting of the 
students on September 16, an advisory board, consist- 
ing of M. E. Miller, Professor Bush and Mollie En- 
yart, was elected. This board exists to perpetuate the 
life of the paper and to advise in its policy and man- 
agement when necessary. Likewise Hugh Lomax and 
Bert Wilson were elected editor and business manager 
respectively." 

The paper was published as a monthly until 1908 
when it became a weekly. The subscription price, 
which had been fifty cents per year, was now advanced 
to $1.00. In the early days more articles were found 
in the Collegian, while to-day as the activities of the 
university have multiplied, it deals to a much larger 
degree with the local news. 

The editors and business managers from the be- 
ginning have been as follows : 

Year Editor Business Manager 

1902 Myrtle G. King Myrtle G. King 

1903 Hugh Lomax Bert Wilson 

1904 Claire Armstrong Homer J. Young 

1905 E. M. Johnson Roy Lucas 

1906 Cleveland Kleihauer ..E. H. Longman 

1907 J. E. Smith C. G. Smith 



Clippings from Cotner Collegian 167 

1908 Elsie Britt (Child)... George Dill 

1909 Chloe Dill (Morrison).... .....Harold Neibling 

1910 Besse Van Buskirk.. H. E. Parminter 

1911 Robert Lemmon ..L. J. Strain 

1912 Avery Morton L. J. Strain 

1913 Harry Weekly ...Henry Hanner 

1914 Cleo Dixon Elmer Strain 

1915 Pearl Swartwood Clyde Darner 

Sometimes, when we were students at old C. U. and 
the Collegian made its monthly or weekly visits to our 
rooms, we found ourselves ''too busy" to do more than 
glance at the headlines and barely scan its pages but 
to-day, as we are looking for something in an old box 
or trunk or in a closet or the attic, where the remnants 
of the past are kept, if perchance our eyes fall upon 
copies of the Collegian we peruse, read and re-read, 
until someway our eyes become blurred and we care- 
fully lay them away. Yes, we had just as well destroy 
the old copies but — oh — somehow we rather like to 
keep them. 

Here are some of the local items that have appeared 
in the Collegian not as the weeks or months have re- 
corded them but as the years have come and gone. 

Local News 

Ada and Floyd Bash spent the 15th at their home 
near Adams. 

Those who attended the Y. M. C. A. convention at 
Beatrice are Roy Young, Clay Longman, John Gilmore, 
and Ed. Smith. 

The Mathesian has a glee club composed of sixteen 
male voices. 

At last it has come! Proclaim it to all the people. 
We (Mathesians) begin on time. 

Chancellor Aylsworth delivered the memorial ser- 
mon at Wesleyan last Sunday. 



168 History of Cotner University 

The ''long and short of it" a duet sung by John 
Olmstead six feet three inches, and Val Johnson four 
feet, was very interesting. 

Elmer Child is a new student from Georgia. Who 
says that Cotner is not a drawing power? 

How We Spent Vacation 

Mr. Miller — Nailing laths on various houses, coming 
out, without owing a cent and with a sore thumb left 
on hand. 

Mr. Johnson — Chuckling over our baseball victories 
and thinking up schemes to worry the '07s. 

Mr. Turner — Getting married and the postoffice. 

Mr. Lucas — On parole (pay roll) at Hastings insane 
asylum. 

Mr. Kleihauer — Hoeing sauerkraut on the stalk. 

The matrimonial crop will probably be scanty next 
summer. The students are limited to two evenings out 
each week. 

Mr. S. Murashima, a Japanese student, will start 
from Japan as soon as he receives his ''Ryo-Ko Ken" — 
a transport. He expects to be here the second semester 
to use his scholarship, which was presented to him by 
the college board. 

At Philomathian, after the president, Mr. Lucas, had 
escorted the secretary, Miss Harding, to her accus- 
tomed place, two very lonesome beings were left back in 
the audience. But as misery always loves company, 
''The Deacon" and Miss Scheer soon found themselves 
consoling each other with words too sympathetic to be 
repeated. 

The chorus under the direction fo Mrs. Sutton is 
working on the oratorio "The Prodigal Son." 

The ministerial association held its opening session 
Wednesday evening. Addresses were made by Prof. 
Bush and President Johnson. Also a report concern- 



Clippings from Cotner Collegian 169 

ing the conditions of the field was made by Secretary 
Kechley. 

We are glad to see the boys bringing back new stu- 
dents, even if they do have to marry them to get them 
here. We become either old bachelors or married men 
in a hurry here at Cotner. 

The only excuse a student has for not entering con- 
tests is ''Ain't got time." The only reason a student 
has is "Fraid Fll get heat." 

Clevy Kleihauer's jolly round face is shining in our 
midst once more. 

We are glad that soon we can have reports from the 
girls, who went to Geneva. Miss Clara Aylsworth and 
Mollie Enyart were sent as delegates and Miss Donna 
Enyart went in the interest of the Y. W. C. A., as well 
as for pleasure. 

Bert Wilson, candidate for congressman, also an old 
time Mathesian, attended chapel October 4. 

This is to be a year of great things in the way of 
oratory. Twenty-five people are preparing for the 
local contests, the first of which will occur about De- 
cember 8. 

The university church raised $148 for foreign mis- 
sions March 5. 

On February 19, at the regular Sunday afternoon 
service the Young Women's Christian Association 
elected officers for the ensuing year. The result of the 
e lection was as follows : President, Lucile Ford ; vice- 
president, Carrie Hubbard ; secretary. Donna Enyart ; 
treasurer, Nellie Phillips. 

Look out for a hot debate between the Mathesians 
and the Philos. 

Floyd Bash has gone to his home at Hooker. After 
completing the corn husking act he will move with his 
parents to Bethany. 



170 History of Cotner University 

Three weddings have occurred in Bethany recently 
among our former students. Homer Young and Mabel 
Wilson, Arthur Armstrong and Laura Meyer, and 
Louis Epler and Freda Ford. We all join in wishing 
each couple many joys and blessings. 

Frank Woten and Edwin Smith have been out of 
school for a week husking corn. 

The enrollment of the university to date is nearly 
250, at least 50 more than the enrollment up to this 
time last year. 

Y. W. C. A. Officers 

Miss Minnie Young, president; Miss Ada Burton, 
vice-president ; Miss Daisy McClintock, secretary ; Miss 
Gertrude Baldwin, treasurer. 

News has just reached Bethany of the safe arrival 
in Liverpool of Joseph E. Smith, a Cotner man, who 
is to complete a three years course at Oxford, England. 

Prof. Melvin R. Gilmore has an interesting article 
in the current number of the Journal of American His- 
tory which every student should read. Incidentally this 
is a boost for Cotner. 

Mrs. H. 0. Pritchard addressed the Y. W. C. A. 
meeting Friday afternoon. 

Miss Mabel Cutter gave an elocution recital for the 
C. E. at Hazard Friday evening. 

The Minnesota students were entertained last Thurs- 
day evening by the Misses Bess Kirk and Myrtle John- 
son in honor of J. H. Bicknell, ^93. All of the fifteen 
Minnesota students at Cotner have been sent by Rev. 
Bicknell. 

The athletic association held a meeting last Thurs- 
day and elected Rollin Squires as manager of the bas- 
ketball team and Ray Murphy as manager of base ball. 

Dr. Aylsworth delighted the students at chapel 
Wednesday with the announcement that Rodney 



Clippifigs from Cottier Collegian 171 

McQuary had been elected president of his class at 
Yale. 

Dole is the man who is doing the picture work this 
year. 

''Brum" says he is in line for the whole team but 
don't know just what he is good for yet. 

Henry Hanner is still hanging around Bethany from 
last reports. Why? 

Why should everyone laugh when Mrs. Luce inci- 
dentally remarked, as she was making an announce- 
ment, that "the glee club girls were pretty"? 

The Collegian has always brought the news. It has 
told of entertainments, musicales and plays, given and 
enjoyed; it has told of the victories which Cotner 
orators, debaters and athletes were to win and then in 
the next issue, of the real contest, sometimes with vic- 
tory, sometimes defeat, but always saying, "we are 
proud just the same." It has given the gist of chapel 
speeches, society programs were mentioned and a little 
told about the Y. M. and Y. W. It has told of wedding 
bells that rung, of happy homes begun and of some 
that perhaps would be. Yes, teachers and students 
have contributed articles and poems. All this the 
Collegian has brought to us month by month or week 
by week. Glance over these clippings and be filled with 
an invigorating breath of college spirit. 

Lines, paragraphs or verses, here and there, from 
the articles or poems of teachers and students as they 
have appeared in the years past will perhaps give a 
word of cheer or encouragement to the reader. 

Concentration 

Diffuse thinking leads to action without system and 
to action void of satisfactory results. A block of ice 
may lie with its face turned to the vertical rays of the 
sun and though it dissolves itself into icy tears it can 
impart no warmth to the objects around. Take, how- 



172 History of Cotner University 

ever, but a small fragment of the block of ice, round 
the top down to the edge, and the paradox is complete, 
the piece of ice has become a producer of heat. The 
rays of the sun are focused through it, are concen- 
trated. So the student who would succeed must learn 
to focus the powers of the mind, must acquire the art 
of concentration. — L. P. Bush, Collegian, 1904. 

Plans and Specifications 

The ideals for the year, in a general way hardly need 
to be stated, they are so familiar. First of all must 
be placed genuine, manly and womanly character. 
This cannot be stimulated. Some one has said, ''Your 
actions speak so loudly that we cannot hear what you 
say." Do not neglect your spiritual life. Second, re- 
member that your aim should be high scholarship. Per- 
haps not always the ''honor man" but certainly the 
kind of student determines largely the success of the 
future. Let nothing beguile you from a determination 
to be a good scholar. Do not stop at the things easy 
for you. To conquer the difficult and uncongenial 
tasks, there the real honor and the greatest benefits 
lie. — Chancellor Aylsworth, Collegian, 1904. 
Let Your Light Shine 

Someone says, "My influence is so small, I can do so 
little." Let me say to that person: Every little bit 
helps. The great pyramids could never have been built 
if it had not been for the individual stones. — S. J. 
Epler, Collegian, 1905. 

Our Life Work 

Finally, we must associate ourselves with the In- 
finite. We must really associate ourselves with the 
Power that moves the worlds; with the wealth that 
hides the gold and precious stones in the heart of the 
earth; with the science that classifies and names the 
trees and the flowers, the birds and the beasts; with 
the gentleness and tenderness that puts the pearly dew 



Clippings from Cotner Collegian 173 

drop on the petals of the rose ; with the love that pro- 
vides the bounties of earth for man and beast. Truly 
we must associate ourselves with God. — H. C. Arm- 
strong, Collegian, 1905. 

On Mother's Knee 

Ah! at mother's knee, 
When all the blessed are gathering home 

With banners waving high. 
When angels cluster 'round the throne 

In realms beyond the sky. 
I do not ask for golden crown 

Nor costly robe for me. 
If only resting place be found — 

A resting place at mother's knee. 

— Clyde Cordner, Collegian, 1908. 

If I Were Chancellor 

If I were elected chancellor 

I know just what I'd do — 
I'd make a minor change of two. 

And systematize the school. 

For all athletics I would boost, 

And thereon lay much stress ; 

But Latin, Greek and English too 
Would take a slump I p;uess. 

Unto Professor Keith I'd look 

For order in the hall. 
I'd take him from the Greek classroom 

To manage basketball. 

To mathematics of all kinds 

I soon would put a stop; 
Fit room thirteen for pressing clothes. 

And first-class barber shop. 



174 History of Cotner University 

Dr. Beattie'd have this room, 

And fit it up you know, 
To teach a moving picture class 

And run a ten-cent show. 

Miss Wampler'd organize a class 

Of all the girls in town, 
And simply teach them not to turn 

The bashful fellows down. 

I'd watch the college spirit too. 

For this shows too much fight ; 

And Mr. Woten reprimand 

For shocking owls at night. 

Wilson I'd make janitor; 

I b'lieve he'd save us coal 
By speaking pieces in the piiies 

He' make the hoop-la roll. 

Professor Young and Jacobs too, 
And Aylworth and the rest 

I'd leave alone, and pay them well 
Unless we got hard pressed. 

Some great improvements I would make 

Within, without as well. 
And if the students these should mar 

I'd send them straight to my office. 
— F. H. Brokaw, '14, Collegian, 1910. 

Ships Gone Down at Sea 

'Neath the surface broad and smiling, 
Of the ocean wide and deep. 

Where the waters lie in quiet 

And the tempests never sweep. 



Clippings from Cotner Collegian 175 

There are depths so calm and peaceful 
That from stormy waves are free, 

But they hide the broken wreckage 
Of the ships gone down at sea. 

Smiling faces all about us 

Cover depths of soul profound, 
Where the wrecks of high ambitions 

Broken hope and faith are found. 
One had hope of fame and honor, 

Sought for name of great renown, 
But the world saw not his greatness 

And his ship of fame went down. 

One had hope of wealth and riches, 

King of gold he hoped to be, 
But the fleeting years have tricked him 

And his ships gone down at sea. 
One had dreams of love and sweetheart, 

Dreams that made his future glow, 
But the dreaming died in vision, 

And his ship went down below. 

One had faith in God and heaven, 

Faith and trust as of a child, 
But his ship of faith was shattered 

When the stories of life grew wild. 
Far beneath the smiling surface 

Of the sea of human life, 
Down in depths of calm unbroken 

Lies the wreckage of the strife. 

And the world may smile and chatter 
In the homes and in the marts. 

But a million smiling faces 

Hide a million broken hearts. 



176 History of Cotner University 

Just as in the depths of ocean. 

Where no eye of man can see, 
Lie the broken masts and rigging 

Of the ships gone down at sea. 

— T. Milo Keith, Collegian, 1911. 

Alone in Thought 

When in this peaceful room I rest, alone and sad at 

heart, 
I study o'er the means of life, of all it doth impart. 
How great this life of every day with all its strife:-^ 

and cares. 
Yet, He who dwells above us all, with us our sorrow 

shares. 

Still after all, how sweet is life amidst its pains and 

cares. 
For blessings great come from above to drive away 

the tears. 
And when I think of Him, Divine, of life beyond so 

fair — 
My heart is still and peaceful, I upward breathe a 

prayer. — Grace Park, Collegian, 1914. 

Names 

I went to the college top one day, 

Reverently mounted the twisted stair; 

And I locked the door for I wished to stay 
For a little while alone up there. 

I climbed to the top of the highest tower, 
Above and apart from the busy strife; 

A place where silence claims the hours 
Stilling the stirring of distant life. 



Clippings from Cotner Collegian 17/ 

Where each of the four close walls displays 
The plyings of pencil, knife and pen. 

A thousand names in a thousand ways ; 

Some carelessly scrawled again, and again. 

Some clearly written, small and straight, 

Some faded dim with times' decay 
Some closely paired with added date. 

Some carved too deep to wear away. 

It's thus a tower within my heart 

To which I climb when memory calls; 

A little place above, apart, 

A room with names upon the walls. 

A thousand names in a thousand ways, 

Some carelessly scrawled again, and again, 

And fondly memory 'mong them strays 
To conjure visions of what has been. 

Some clearly written, small and straight, 

Some faded dim with times' decay ; 
Some closely paired with added date, 

Some carved too deep to wear away. 

— Lois Nichols, '19, Collegian, 1915. 

Prohibtion Oratory 1904 

Listen, as the Collegian reports the victories won! 

The chapel was well filled Thursday night, March 
10th. The occasion was the annual contest of the Pro- 
hibition League, which is fast becoming a favorite 
''side issue" of the students. The first speaker, 
Bert Wilson, took the floor. His subject was ''Do We 
Need a Prohibition Party"? Mr. Wilson took first on 
manuscript. E. E. Smith was the next speaker. His 
oration was entitled, "Grounds for Liquor Legislation." 



178 History of Cotner University 

He ranked second on manuscript. ''Evils of License" 
was the subject of the next speech, delivered by Hugh 
Lomax. Mrs. Kittie Aylsworth then entertained the 
audience with a vocal number, rendered in her usual 
pleasing manner. Following this were the two re- 
maining orations, 'The Tree of Abolition," by Eugene 
Palmer and "The Open Saloon," by Ford Ellis. At 
this point the markings were collected from the dif- 
ferent judges and the "summing up" committee re- 
tired The result of the markings was as follows: 

Mr. Lomax, first; Mr. Wilson, second; Mr. Smith, 
third; Mr. Palmer, fourth; and Mr. Ellis, fifth. The 
winner will represent Cotner in the state contest, held 
this year at Central City, April 12. Many favorable 
comments upon all the orations were heard. 

Oratorical Contest 1904 
The oratorical contest this year promises to be the 
best ever. Nine orations are in the hands of the 
judges. December 22 is the date. The state contest 
will occur this year at Grand Island early in February, 
and one of the following students will represent Cotner 
there: F. G. Hamm, John Alber, E. E. Smith, Lucile 
Ford, Ford Ellis, Clara Aylsworth, H. Lomax, A. J. 
Hollingsworth and R. W. Roland. 

Prohibtion Contest 1905 
The annual oratorical contest of the prohibition 
league was held at the chapel Thursday evening, Feb- 
ruary 25th. Six stalwart prohibitionists, well pre- 
pared and trained, contended for the victor's wreath. 
Mr. Austin J. Hollingsvv^orth was awarded the first 
honor and Mr. M. E. Miller received the second. 

That Contest 1907 

By some "hook or crook" the Collegian failed to men- 
tion in its last issue, that notable occasion in the school 
year, namely, the "Contest of Tongues" or "War of 



Clippings from Cottier Collegian 179 

Words," or more modestly, the local Oratorical Contest. 
It occurred. It occurred well. Mr. Britt won the 
plum, even while Cordner, Ellis and Alber were reach- 
ing for it. We congratulate Mr. Britt. 

Prohibition Contest 1908 

Among the many creditable victories w^hich have 
been achieved by the students of Cotner University 
recently, none deserve a more prominent mention than 
the Avinning of first place in the State Prohibition Ora- 
torical Contest, held at Grand Island, March 25th. 

Mr. Ford A. Ellis, Cotner's orator, spoke on 'The 
Liquor Traffic — A Crime." It w^as a logical and pol- 
ished production and being delivered with Mr. Ellis' ac- 
customed force and grace easily won first place. 

Mr. W. B. Knapp of Wesleyan University, speaking 
on "The Master Apostle of Abstinence," won second 
place. York College and Doane were well represented 
tieing for third place. Other schools represented were 
Grand Island College, Nebraska Central College and 
Orleans Seminary. 

The contest was held in the Grand Island opera 
house, a large and commodious room and the various 
colleges were well represented by delegations. 

Mr. Ellis will represent Nebraska for the State Pro- 
hibition League at the interstate contest to be held at 
Waco, Texas, during the next month, and with his 
splendid energy and ability is sure of a very creditable 
place. He has worked hard during his days at Cotner 
to gain this marked success and we all rejoice with 
him over it. 

Alber Wins 

Mr. John G. Alber won the annual oratorical contest, 
which was held in the chapel Tuesday evening, being 
marked first place by each of the six judges, an unus- 
ually decisive victory. Clyde Cordner took second place 



180 History of Cotner University 

with his oration on ''International Peace" and Leon 
Moomaw ranked third, his theme being ''David Liv- 
ingstone — A Hero." 

Alber has an enviable record as an orator. In his 
senior academy year he represented Cotner in the 
State Prohibition Oratorical contest, taking first place 
and taking second place in the interstate contest held 
at Witchita, Kansas, during the same year. While a 
freshman, he won the local oratorical contest and took 
fourth place in the state oratorical contest held at 
Creighton. 

Cordner's Record in Oratory 

It will be remembered that Cotner attained a very 
high rank in the Prohibition oratorical w^ork last year. 
Mr. Cordner for Cotner won first place in the state 
contest. In the national contest held at Valparaiso, 
Indiana, he received fourth honors. 

Contestants for 1911 
Leon Moomaw Wins Contest 

Thursday evening the annual State Prohibition Ora- 
torical contest was held in the chapel. This was the 
first time for seven years that the state contest has 
been held at Cotner. A large delegation was present 
from Wesleyan which added much enthusiasm to the 
occasion. Several were present from Union College. 
The judges on manuscript were Supt. Crabtree and 
Prof. Sherman. Judge Frost and Prof. Phillips were 
the judges on delivery. The junior Male Quartette 
furnished music for the evening. The orations were 
all very good. Leon Moomaw won first place. This 
makes two years in succession that Cotner has won 
the state contest. It is also the fourth time in six 
years. 

The other colleges ranked as follows : Wesleyan, sec- 
ond; York, third; Grand Island, fourth; Doane, fifth; 



Clippings from Cotner Collegian 181 

Orleans Seminary, sixth ; Central College, seventh. Mr. 
Moomaw received a prize of fifty dollars and a pen- 
nant from each college represented. He will represent 
Nebraska in the interstate contest to be held at Gren- 
ville, Texas, May 19. 



Lemmon Wins Second Place 

Clarence E. Lemmon, '14, won second place in the 
twenty-seventh annual contest of the Nebraska Inter- 
Collegiate Oratorical Association at Hastings last 
Thursday night, February 16. Wesleyan proved an 
invincible foe. W. A. Crossland, their contestant, after 
two years' experience in the state contest on practically 
the same oration, won first place. Thus we do not 
decry our defeat. 

Mr. Lemmon was in the best of trim. His oration, 
''The Spirit of Progressive Government," was devel- 
oped along the lines of the new nationalism. It was 
written in his characteristic style, strong and vigorous, 
and convincing in argument. His delivery was at its 
best. As he came upon the platform, his self mastery 
asserted itself. He was the seventh upon the program 
and as the hour was exceedingly late, the audience was 
tired and restless. Yet he gained their attention and 
held it throughout. His production and rendition were 
creditable both to himself and to his universiy. 
Oratorical Contest 1915 

The Nebraska Oratorical contert was held at Crete, 
Nebraska, Last Friday. The honor for first place went 
to Grand Island, and they should be proud of their 
representative, Earl Everett. His subject, "'Who 
Leads?" w^as developed in a brainy fashion and deliv- 
ered in a gripping way. He took the lawyer as the 
leader and his material was chosen from ages past as 
well as the present day. 

Miss Johnson of Bellevue, who helped to compose 



182 History of Cotner University 

one of their debating teams last year, won second. She 
has a beautiful voice and an easy natural delivery. 

P. B. Cope came in for third place and the large 
number of Cotner students that went down to help 
him were proud of his oration and the work he had 
spent upon it to bring it to such a degree of efficiency. 

Oratorical Contest 1916 

In the annual contest of the Nebraska Inter-Col- 
legiate Oratorical Association that was held at Omaha 
on Friday evening of last week O. E. Johnson of Cot- 
ner won second place. 

Elmer A. Barr of Creighton university in an oration 
on ''Preparedness" won first place. Bellevue, York and 
Doane all tied for third place; Wesleyan took fourth, 
Grand Island fifth and Hastings sixth. 

All the speakers showed a great deal of preparation 
but for logic and clearness of thought, Johnson had 
them all ''backed off the board." 

Debating 

March 26, 1908 — There was a triangular debate be- 
tween Bellevue, Doane and Cotner. Each school had 
two teams and each argued both sides of the following 
question: Resolved, That the federal government 
should have exclusive control of all corporations doing 
an interstate business. Doane lost both debates, Belle- 
vue won one and lost one, and Cotner won both. Cot- 
ner's debaters were Moomaw, Rethemeyer and Cobbey ; 
Wilson, Hunt and Lively. Four juniors and two fresh- 
men, all preachers. Of course we don't question the 
veracity of our preachers, but they certainly must have 
enlarged upon the facts on one side or the other. H. O. 
Pritchard trained the teams. 



Clippings from Cotner Collegian 183 

March 27 — On the return of the debaters from Crete, 
all operations in the college were suspended and all as- 
sembled in the lower hall to hear how it was done. A 
temporary platform was constructed out of the shoul- 
ders of two students of giant stature, and upon this the 
conquerors mounted and said their little speeches. 

March 28 — Because of the interest he had taken in 
the work of the debating team, H. O. Pritchard was 
presented with a pair of hoisery, which he called socks, 
Within these was enough money to take him to Bloom- 
ington, Indiana. 

Troxel-Moomaw-Lemmon 
1911 

At the final preliminary last Thursday afternoon, 
Dan. C. Troxel, '12, Leon Moomaw, '11, and Clarence 
E. Lemmon, '14, were chosen as the team to meet Can- 
ton February 15. Clarence Miles, '11, was chosen as 
alternate. The same team will, no doubt, meet Doane 
at Cotner in the tri-angular debates held during March. 

Each member of the team is an experienced debater, 
Lemmon and Troxel being in the team which defeated 
Canton at Cotner last year, and Moomaw twice figur- 
ing in the tri-angular debating teams. The try-out 
last Wednesday showed much better form and prepar- 
ation than any of the season and with six weeks in 
which to work up the team it is expected that every 
thing will be in good shape. 

Clarence Lemmon is "The Invincible" of Cotner. He 
is one of the leading orators and debators. Defeat is 
not in his line. 

Troxel, too, has been a leader. He will show Canton 
if they are from Missouri. He is a good public speaker, 
has a good voice and never lacks for a speech. 

Moomaw is the steady, progressive debater. He can 



184 History of Cotner University 

take defeat as well as victory and do it like a man, but 
no defeat will have to be suffered by him and his 
colleagues in the debate with Canton. 

Knapp-Radcliff-Miles 

1911 

The debating club met last Thursday afternoon for 
its final preliminary debate, leading up to the triangu- 
lar debate between Doane, Bellevue and Cotner. The 
team that was selected a few weeks ago for the Canton 
debate will be one of the teams in the triangular meet. 
The personnel of the team first chosen is, Dan Troxel, 
'12, Leon Moomaw, '11, and Clarence Lemmon, '14. 
The men picked Thursday were, Clarence Miles, '11, 
Walter Radcliff, '14, and Carl Knapp, '14. In the final 
arrangement it is probable that Leon Moomaw and 
Carl Knapp will change positions. The question that 
is to be debated is, ''Resolved, That legislation should 
be shaped toward the abandonment of the protective 
tariff." Messrs. Miles, Moomaw and Radcliff will up- 
hold the negative of the question at Bellevue, Messrs. 
TroxeL Lemmon and Knapp will maintain the affirm- 
ative at home against Doane. 

Cotner Wins Triangular 

1913 

Proves Both Sides for Third Successive Time 

For three successive years Cotner has proved both 
sides of the question in the triangular debate. This is 
certainly a record to be proud of. Moreover, in the 
six years that this triangular league has been in exist- 
ence, Cotner has won nine debates out of twelve. She 
has won both sides of the question four times, lost both 
once, and won only one side once. All in all, the last 
six years out of seventeen intercollegiate debates, Cot- 
ner has won twelve. 



Clippings from Cotiier Collegian 185 

This year the question debated was ''Resolved, That 
trusts should be regulated rather than prohibited." 
Cotner met Bellevue at Bellevue ; a team from Doane 
also met Cotner at Cotner, and Bellevue also met Doane 
at Crete. Each home team defended the affirmative. 
Cotner was the only team to successfully defend the 
affirmative. It is rather singular this year that each 
victory was a two to one decision. 

Two of Cotner's men close their work in debating this 
year. Mr. Lemmon has been on eight winning teams 
since he has been in school. He is the winner of the 
Edwin Jeary twenty-five dollar ($25) prize for the 
best all-round debater in school. His long experience 
makes his services invaluable. Mr. Griggs, the other 
senior, helped win his second intercollegiate debate this 
year. 

The affirmative speakers were R. C. Dady, C. H. 
Thompson and C. E. Lemmon. The negative speakers 
were W. W. Wertz, Ward Goble and F. A. Dawes ; 
Cotner men representing the affirmati^'e side and 
Doane men the negative. 

Cotner at Bellevue 

On the same evening that Cotner's affirmative team 
was showing Doane that the trust should be regulated 
rather than prohibited, the negative team composed of 
E. N. Griggs, C. E. PerLee and P. B. Cope, with Avery 
Morton as alternate, met and defeated Bellevue at the 
latter place. 

Cotner-Bellevue 1914 

Although Bellevue scored decisively over Cotner in 
her debate last Friday evening, the fact that the nega- 
tive side won in all three of the debates held in the 
triangular last Friday evening acts as a sort of heart 
balm to the defeated. 

The question, ''Resolved, That in America municipal- 



186 History of Cotner University 

ities of twenty-five thousand or over, a tax on the rental 
value of land, exclusive of improvements, should be 
substituted for the general property tax," is rather 
lop-sided from the debater's standpoint. 

The affirmative, upheld by Cotner, was represented 
by Orville Johnson, '16, Elmer Strain, '15, and Carl 
Per Lee, '14. The Bellevue team was composed of Mr. 
Seymour Smith, Miss Anna Johnson and Mr. Orie 
Webb. 

Cotner-Doane, 1914 

On Friday night Cotner's negative team, composed 
of Luther Cobbey, '17, Ernest Molloy, '14, and Peter 
B. Cope, '15, administered another defeat to Doane 
College at Crete. Out of seven debates with Doane, 
Cotner has w^on six. 

Debating, 1915 

The first debate at home with Doane was a two to 
one victory. The Cotner team upholding the affirm- 
ative side of the railroad ownership question, consisted 
of Messrs. E. E. Strain, L. A. Brumbaugh and E. E. 
Briggs. Alonzo Knight was the alternate. Every 
speech made showed hard work and clear, consistent 
thinking and good delivery. The debate with Belle- 
vue upheld the negative of the same issue and Messrs. 
L. Dry, 0. E. Johnson and P. B. Cope, with Garland 
Nichols as alternate composed the team. The decision 
was unanimous in favor of the negative and these men 
deserve all the praise of a proud and happy student 
body. 

Athletics 1903 

Bellevue made her initial appearance on Cotner's 
ground on May 8, her team came, hoping to wipe out 
the defeat administered in her own door yard, but not 
so. After it was over the man behind the pencil said 
11 to 6 in favor of Cotner. 



Clippings from Cotner Collegian 187 

Football has closed the season with much credit. 
Not all the games were won, but in every one our boys 
made a good showing. We have every reason to be 
proud of their record. At a recent meeting Mr. John- 
son was elected manager for next year and Mr. Lucas 
captain. 

Field Hockey 1907 
The third was won and let there be nine rahs for 
every one who helped to win it, Cotner vs. Wesleyan. 
Peaches and cream! say, don't that sorter tickle your 
ears every time you hear about it? There were 373 
paid admissions and the interest was great, almost 
impossible to keep them off the hockey limits and no 
one would sit in the grand stand. Music was furnished 
by the band. Wesleyan called it noise, but no one with 
reasoning powers would expect them to appreciate 
music with the ball rolling steadily toward their goal. 
Strange indeed, that they noticed it at all, A good 
game with a good score ? No, not that. A great game 
with a glorious score of 2-0 for Cotner. 

Cotner-Wesleyan Game 1908 

Of all the victories Cotner has won this year, per- 
haps no other has brought so much joy to our hearts 
as the Cotner-Wesleyan ball game. On the 8th day of 
May about 4 o'clock there assembled a goodly number 
of fans at the Wesleyan ball park to witness the 
struggle. Both teams were confident of winning. Mr. 
Farthing, the much tooted Wesleyan south paw, was to 
do the twirling for the opposition while 'Tid" Parmin- 
ter was to serve the slants for the Cotnerites. Mr. 
Farthing undoubtedly had the groceries, for he only 
allowed the Cotnerites one little lonesome hit. Par- 
minter was equally effective at critical times, and al- 
lowed only five scattered hits. Wesleyan had a num- 
ber of men on bases and at one time filled the bases 
with no men out, but there was absolutely nothing 



188 History of Cotner University 

doing in the score column. Taken through and through 
the Wesieyanites are fair batters, but a headless lot of 
base runners. Cotner was unable to uncork a score 
until the eighth inning, owing to their inability to 
connect with Farthing. Pirtle safely reached first and 
then just stole the remainder of the iDases in succession, 
making the lone score for the game. After that there 
was nothing doing at home plate. Farthing's pitch- 
ing and Jester's double play were the features of the 
game. 

The Western Trip, 1908 

The Cotner "Bulldogs" took their v/estern trip be- 
ginning May 12 at Kearney and ending May 20 at 
Seward. Kearney's strong aggregation got the small 
end of the score on Tuesday, May 12, 1 to being the 
result. The game was one of the fastest ever seen on 
the Kearney diamond. Ritchey, Ogden and Smith, the 
stonewall outfield, pulled off sensational stunts which 
raised the spectators from their seats as if they were 
one. Parminter wiggled with Ling doing the receiving 
stunt. Giltner's first game was pitched by 'Tannehill" 
Jones. Our clever south paw doing double work both 
on the slab and at bat, really won his own game, 5 to 4. 
The boys have all kinds of confidence in 'Tanne," for 
he is sure a coming winner. ''General" Miles, the star 
short stop, for "Old C. U.," stepped into the box posi- 
tion and pitched remarkable ball for one not profes- 
sing to be a slab artist. The Giltner boys pounded 
in five tallies while Cotner scared only one across the 
plate. At Hastings "Pid" Parminter again faced the 
sluggers from the opposing team and they slugged 
"Pid" for seven runs in the last of the ninth inning, 
making a tie score of 9 to 9. Twelve innings finished 
the game with a score 11 to 9 in Cotner's favor. 
Saturday's game at Overton was a neat victory for 
"Old C. U." The score 8 to 5 tells the tale. Tannehill 



Clippings from Cotner Collegian 189 

Jones served the slants into the big scoop of ''Skinny's" 
and pitched a strong heady game. Cotner again won 
from Seward on Tuesday, May 19, at Seward by the 
score of 14 to 5. Oh, what a walloping the Seward 
pitchers got. P. Ling or "Ching," one of Cotner's old 
pitcher's, now^ w^th Seward, received his, after Seward 
was driven from the box. Parminter and Ling did 
battery work for Cotner. Each got a home run. Se- 
ward got a homer off Parmenter, the only one this sea- 
son so far. The last game of the trip was played at 
Seward which Cotner lost by 3 to 0. One of the fast- 
est games of the season was witnessed by the Seward- 
ites in this shutout game. Jones twirled a beautiful 
game, but Cotner could not connect with the Seward 
pitcher for scores. The game was played in one hour 
and ten minutes. 

EATS UP THE CORNKUSKERS 

1910 
State University Team Outplayed by Bulldogs 

SCORE THIRTY-FIVE TO SEVENTEEN 

The following acocunt of the Cotner-Nebraska bas- 
ketball game, which was played Saturday night, is 
taken from the Sunday State Journal: 

''A score of 35 to 17 gave Cotner University's bas- 
ketball five a victory over the State University team on 
the latter's floor last evening. The Nebraska five was 
outplayed in all departments of the game save in 
throwing goals on foul." 

The line-up for the game was : 

Cotner Nebraska 

Parmenter rf Hutchinson 

Siddons If Carvier-Owen 

McCullough Ig .Gibson-Minor 

Ogden rg Kiddoo-Frank 

Aspinwall c Hiltner 



190 History of Cotner University 

COTNER DEFEATS KANSAS 

1911 

Big Giiime of Season Nabbed by Bulldogs. — Fans 
Have Severe Case of ''Rabies" 

FOUR VICTORIES THIS WEEK 

The biggest and most important game of the season 
was pulled off in the Cotner gym last Thursday even- 
ing when the Invincibles met the Unconquerables, 
when the ''Bulldogs" met the Jayhawkers and admin- 
istered the usual drubbing. This is the gam.e that all 
local fans have been looking forward to. Prediction 
was, that it would be the biggest game of the Missouri 
valley this season and while the result was generally 
admitted to be in doubt, the favor of the doubt with 
many outside of the local fandom was with Kansas. 
The devotees of Happy's five were not disappointed 
in their favorites. The score of 35 to 26 in favor of 
the Bulldogs was the cause of great rejoicing. 

The line-up : 

Cotner Goals Foul Goals 

Parminter, rf 4 1 

Siddons, If '. .._- 9 1 

Aspinwall, c 2 1 

Ogden, rg 

McCullough, Ig _- 1 

Cotner Administers Defeat to Wesleyan 
1913 
On last Wednesday night the much tooted and her- 
alded organization known as the Wesleyan Coyote Bas- 
ketball team, came over highly confident of adminis- 
tering a drubbing to the local quintette. For some rea- 
son or other the expected drubbing failed to arrive. 
The Bulldogs had been storing up their energy and 
waiting for a time when they could even things up for 
the defeat handed them earlier in the season. This 



Clippings from Cotner Collegian 191 

night the Bulldogs proved themselves able to gnaw 
away on Coyote bones, and get a few tender morsels 
from such. 

Cotner Field Goals Foul Goals 

Oeschger, rf 3 

Hudson, If 2 

Squires, c... 3 

Morton, rg 2 4 

Leavitt, Ig .-. 3 

—30 

Wesleyan Field Goals Foul Goals 

Kline, rf 2 

Keester, If 3 5 

Hughes, c . 2 

Magee, rg 

Gary, Ig 4 

Johnson, rg 

—27 

Referee: Waugh. 

Captain Martin Glances Backv/ard, 1914 

''As I look back over the football season of 1914, I 
feel more than ever before the honor of being captain 
of that team. The team that represented Cotner this 
year has not a single game to be ashamed of. In 
every one the men fought and fought hard. True, 
every game was not won but teams averaging nearly 
twenty pounds to the man heavier were held to close 
scores and in only one game was Cotner held scoreless. 

And by far the greatest honor brought to the team 
was the picking of ''Tiny" Strain by coaches of the 
state as all-state quarterback. And he clearly deserved 
it, not only by receiving punts and in generalship of 
the team, but mainly by his almost unerring ability to 
carry the ball for consistent gains. But credit for 
this must also be given to the team." 



CHAPTER XIX 

Looking Backward 

How true it is that a ''little nonsense now and then 
is relished by the best of men." As your eye falls upon 
the pages of this chapter, kind reader, we ask you to 
let your mind wander back to the days that are passed. 
Perchance you will find something that will do you 
good ; or maybe a smile will break through in spite of 
the cares, that almost — well — almost get the best of 
you. Haven't you heard it said by someone, somewhere, 
sometime, that college days are the happiest in life; 
isn't it true for they do have fun at old C. U. 

Don't you remember hearing the chapel speakers tell 
us how glad they were to be there, and to look into our 
bright and shining faces, and then rising almost to 
the dignit}^ of an orator tell us to make the most of our 
opportunities for if we didn't we would regret it, and 
not let our studies interfere with a good time — or 
let's see — did they tell us that or was that just the rule 
we followed — no matter now, we will let it pass. Oh 
yes, we enjoyed chapel for it was there that Doctor 
Aylsworth gave his kindly admonitions ; he said there 
was a tendency to skip chapel or to be late in coming; 
he hoped we would think seriously about this and — and 
— co-operate in making the chapel a pleasant and help- 
ful hour. Then all announcements had to be read for 
the Y. M. and Y. W. C. A. cabinets and another or- 
ganization or two wished to have a meeting in the 
east end of the hall for just a minute after chapel. By 
and by we went to classes. 

In the years which have passed into memory we have 
had a great many conflicts. Every once in a while 
our studies conflicted with a good time; there were 



Looking Backward 193 

conflicts in meeting places for organizations; some- 
times two somebodies needed the gym stage or chapel 
platform at the same time, or the faculty plans con- 
flicted with the student's ideal. Yes, we had con- 
flicts with our friend, the enemy, Wesleyan, but the 
conflict I was thinking about was how often at the 
beginning of a semester, as we looked over the sche- 
dule it was remarked, ''I wanted to take that but I have 
a conflict." One should not wonder 'tis true, for a long 
while ago at a faculty meeting held at 9 a. m. Septem- 
ber 13, 1890, it was ''found impossible to avoid all 
conflicts." Yet the faculty favored firmness in what 
we should do for in 1892 ''cast iron schedules were de- 
cided upon and Professor Beattie appointed to draw 
up the same." 

You ask if w^e w^ere ever "out of order" ; sometimes, 
when we used to have parliamentary drill in the liter- 
ary societies ; oh yes, we violated both Robert's rules 
of order and faculty rules of order for our conduct 
in the halls was beneath the dignit^^ of young men and 
young women. Despite the innumerable admonitions, 
the faculty once passed a resolution "that it be the 
sense of this faculty that we ask the Board to take 
steps to keep order in the university halls." Of course 
we know that it had taken ten years to become so dis- 
orderly, for this motion was passed in 1903 and the 
old original rules governing conduct in the halls were 
adopted in 1893, stating that "audible talking, studying 
in pairs or in groups, whistling, heavy walking and all 
other unnecessary noise in the halls and stairways are 
prohibited during class hours." 

And then, occasionally, it was a little noisy in the 
library. Once upon a time Professor Newcomer com- 
mented upon the subject and thought the order was 
"very loose" and the names of some students were 
mentioned, but never mind, I will not give you away. 



194 History of Cotner Urdversity 

Did they have library rules then? I should say so, 
just listen to rules four and five from the Librarj^ Reg- 
ulations, ''During the time of recitations students are 
not to enter, nor are they to leave the library without 
permission of the Monitor in charge. Changes in the 
library are to be made at the same time that classes 
go from one room to another." "Noise, all studying 
aloud, all studying in groups or in pairs, and all com- 
munication except with the Monitor, are prohibited." 

The boys in the early years were very bad, particu- 
larly in 1890 when Doctor Aylsworth felt it necessary 
in faculty meeting to make this motion, ''That Presi- 
dent Dungan admonish the students over Hallowe'en 
mischiefs." Did they ever do anything like that again 
— no not for a year. 

But the most serious problem that the faculty had 
to deal with was "to keep the boys and girls in the 
straight and narrow way," every girl wanted a beau 
and every boy a sweetheart. Where did you get yours ? 
Well you needn't tell— that is a secret you know. Did 
you ever violate that rule passed in 1893? "Young 
ladies and gentlemen students of the university are en- 
joined from such associations as are wasteful of time 
and improper_ in character. Strolling about in the 
evening, visiting each other's roomys or spending un- 
due time in each other's company are considered im- 
proper and are forbidden." Almost twenty years later 
similar rules were passed. "Evening calls made by 
students should terminate by half past ten. Gentlemen 
will note this and govern themselves accordingly." 
"Young ladies shall not entertain gentlemen callers 
oftener than once a week," Nevertheless as in the 
days of Noah, students have continued "eating and 
drinking and marrying" — yes eating and drinking at 
class parties, banquets and festivals and making love 
(I guess they call it) in the halls and vacant rooms, 



Looking Backward 195 

going to programs and church, in fact just everywhere. 
Perhaps the faculty was right but we didn't see it that 
way. 

The faculty used to have great difficulty with the 
girls and it was ''moved that the faculty discourage 
all display of dress at all college performances." They 
haven't had such troubles in recent years, there is no 
such display for the girls are satisfied with either 
"hobbles" or ''hoops" and have become so economical 
that they wear the shirts six inches from the floor. 

Did you ever hear about that male ouartette, no not 
the one in 1911 that sang "I never will forget," but 
the one of 1898 which, although composed of different 
college classmen, desired to sit together in chapel. As 
this would be a violation of the rules regarding the 
seating in chapel a petition from the quartette was 
presented. Alas, the faculty did not see the wisdom in 
it all and the chapel was robbed of that wonderful 
music. 

Then there has been some trouble with the janitors 
in the past. Perhaps they didn't sweep the floors quite 
clean or maybe they overslept and the air in the uni- 
versity building was just a little cool at 8 a. m,, but 
the gravest error ever committed was the one when 
Professor Chamberlain was compelled to "report the 
negligence of the janitor in allowing dust to collect on 
the gas machine." 

The faculty has always shown deep interest in the 
welfare of the student body, willing to do anj^thing 
even to the providing of necessary equipment for their 
use. In 1891, Professor Harris was instructed "to buy 
a mirror, pitcher and bowl, by means of a fifty-cent 
quota from each member of the facultj^, for the Young 
Women's waitinsr room at the college." 

There have been some wonderful organizations in 
C. U. The Mathesians for example. One time they 



196 History of Cotne?' University 

asked for the privilege of giving an evening's program 
during commencement week. Dr. Aylsworth moved 
''that Sunday evening be granted." But they never 
showed the depth of intellect that was manifested in 
the Philo society. As proof of this fact note this pro- 
gram given by them April 25, 1905. 

The Philos 

Song ''America" 

"The Proper Time to Shuck Wheat"... Stephen J. Epler 
"How Often Should we Curry Our Hogs?". .Elmer Child 

"The Work of the Farmer's Eldest Daughter" 

Clara De Forest 

"Farm News" Perry Marvel 

Vocal Solo with Whistling Chorus Elsie Lomax 

"How to Cure a Balky Horse or Mule" Roy Lucas 

"Some Good Ways of Separating a Calf from its 
Mother Without Breaking the Heart of 

Either" Austin J, Hollingsworth 

"Jolly Old Farmar" Farmers' Chorus 

In recent years the Calendar of Events given in the 
College Annual reminds us of by gone days. 

September 25, 1907 — Chancellor appoints whistling 
committee. 

November 19, 1907 — (From room 12) A sound like a 
mighty tempest. Only the debaters at w^ork. 

January 7, 1908 — Freshmen mistake telephone bell 
for dinner bell, cut classes, and go to the "Dorm." 

January 25, 1908 — Dr. Beattie delivers chapel speech 
on "Thoroughness of Oskaloosa College." 

March 10, 1908 — Chapel speech by Chancellor Ayls- 
worth on "Empty Seats." 

October 7, 1909 — Separate chapel. Sheep divided 
from goats. 

October 29, 1909 — Lost, strayed or stolen, the '11 
Rock. 



Looking Backward 197 

January 19, 1910 — General wail, ''Would that I had 
ditched less and studied more." 

February 25, 1910 — Highland Park beat Wesleyan. 
Cotner beat Highland Park. Therefore, Wesleyan 
won't play Cotner. 

October 24, 1911 — First call for Putnam's Psy- 
chology. 

January 10, 1912 — Second call for Putnam's Psy- 
chology. 

January 17, 1912 — Chancellor Oeschger lectures on 
"Choice Spirits" (preachers). 

February 27, 1912 — Third and last call for Putnam's 
Psychology. Show of hands. 'Tlease, thank you." 

May 12, 1912 — Sneak day. Several immersions 
without confessions. 

September 30, 1913 — Prof. Young frightens fresh- 
men into taking assigned seats. 

October 3, 1913 — Chancellor is afraid to call down 
Trustee Jeary for overrunning chapel time. 

Variation in time has always been marked at Cot- 
ner. Someone says, ''The bells were not rung on the dot 
today." Some students have watches that run a little 
slow we suppose for they can't quite make it by eight ; 
the program was to begin at eight but certainly eight- 
fifteen is soon enough to go. Yes, we did have trouble 
with the clock until the '14 class gave us the new one. 
In 1909, Prof. Reeves was "made a committee on 
clocks," and at the next faculty meeting only one week 
later reported the "clock still running." Again we 
find "the ringing of the bells and the running of the 
clock" being among the subjects discussed by the fac- 
ulty. Perhaps variations have been common and the 
old clock irregular, yet time has moved on in the same 
way; years have come and years have gone. Many 
strangers have come to Cotner and as classmates and 
friends have bidden goodbye to old C. U. ; others take 



198 History of Cotnei' University 

our places and though we return we are strangers 
again. Yes, Cotner has given us much ; the lessons we 
learned, the games we played; the joy we felt — it all 
comes back today and we smile and brush away a 
tear — and are happy. 



CHAPTER XX 

Commencements 

Of all the pictures that hang on college memory's 
wall, the one of commencements are best of all. Th&t 
happy week when studies were over and w^e were free 
from the burdens, we thought heavy. Yes, the final 
examinations of the week before were passed, they 
were not so hard after all, and we were free as youth 
itself. How the memories of the first commencement 
ever attended all come back today^ as if it were only 
yesterday. Perhaps it was then w^e had our first 
beau or sweetheart, for it was a time when the lads 
and lasses somehow ''got together." You say, we were 
foolish then; we are foolish still, for there is no place 
we would rather go than back to old C. U, for com- 
mencement. It's a great home-coming for we see so 
many of the old classmates and friends. And then, 
as student or visitor we enjoy the programs. We en- 
joy the Mathesian or Philo exercises because we are 
or were members of that society. Yes, there are the 
music and expression department programs, which 
recall happy associations. So it is, whether a ''has 
been," "now are" or a "will be," commencement is a 
happy occasion, 

A few of the many programs which have been given 
during commencement week in the years passed will 
not only recall these pleasant days but will help and 
encourage us to make true the dreams of youth, to 
build the aircastles of college days. 



200 History of Cotner University 

First Declamatory Contest of Cotner University 

June 19, 1890 

Piano Solo. .."Spring Song'' 

Mrs. W. P. Stearns 

Invocation 

Declamation "The Fisherman's Wife" 

Miss Addie Harris 

Declamation... "Mona's Waters" 

Miss Emaline Leavitt 

Declamation. "The Modern Chain" 

Mr. J. H. Bicknell 

Vocal Solo..-. 

Mr. Chas. Hopper 

Declamation "The Clergyman's Story" 

Miss Sarah Harris 

Declamation "Regulus" 

Mr. Arthur C. Munson 

Vocal Solo .."Gumbert's Waltz Song" 

Mrs. Greer 

Declamation .. "The Last Leap" 

Miss Alice Gadd 

Declamation "Grattan's Reply" 

Mr. Clarence Harris 

Declamation "The First Settler's Story" 

Miss Blanche Gregory 

Vocal Solo... 

Mr. Chas. Hopper 

Decision of Judges 

Judges — Gen'l J. R. Webster, Hon. Steward Dales, Miss 
Phoebe Elliot. 

Referee — Prof. Rachel Lloyd. 



Commencements 201 

Program Commencement Day 
June 14, 1894 

Piano Solo, "Rhapsodie Hougroise" Liszt 

Miss May Z. Hughes 

Invocation 

The Ladies' Octet, ''Legender" Mohring 

Oration "The Pi^ovince of Anglo Saxon" 

Fred S. Henry 

Oration "Man and Evolution" 

Fred L. Sumpter 

Oration "Liberty Under Law" 

Robert A. Schell 

Quartette, "Ruy Bias" Mendelssohn 

Misses Beattie, Owings and Cone 

Oration "Valedictory" 

William Oeschger 

Annual Address 

J. H. Garrison 

Male Quartette, ''Annie Laurie". Dudley Buck 

J. W. Hilton, S. A. Nesbitt, G. W. Walters, C. A. Finch 
Benediction... 

Graduating Exercises 
June 11, 1896 

Piano Quartette, ''Overture to Zampa" Harold 

Invocation 

Vocal Solo, "How Could I Vain Have Slumbered" 

from Freischuetz Weber 

Prof. M. Elvira Jones 

Oration "hiternational Arbitration" 

William T. Fisher 

Oration.... "The Netv Woman" 

Meltha M. Miller 

Oration "The Goal of Education" 

Samuel W. Christy 



202 History of Cotner University 

Oration - ''God in Nature" 

Arthur K. Turner 
Oration . ''Life a Gain" 

Sarah L. Harris 

Instrumental Solo/'Tannhaeuser March" Wagner-Liszt 

Prof. May Z. Hughes 

Oration ''Via Vitae" 

Alvin E. Evans 

Oration "The Fullness of Time" 

George C. Ritchey 

Oration. "Dream, of Life" 

Marie Blanche Smith 

Valedictory 

Raymond G. Aylsworth 

Conferring of Degrees... 

Vocal Quartette, "A Night in May" F. Abt 

Benediction . 

Commencement Program, June 13, 1907 

The Festive Song Troyer 

Cotner University Chorus 

Spring Dawn Mason 

Edna L. Wright, Carrie L. Hubbard 
March Lola Miksch Sutton 

(Composed especially for the day, honoring our great Nebraska American) 

Cotner University Song 

(With two additional verses by Clyde Cordner) 

Clay W. Longman Chorus 

Conferring of Degrees 

Chancellor W. P. Aylsworth 

Commencement Program, June 9, 1910 

Valse Moszkowski 

Mrs. Gertrude Sumpter 

Invocation. 

Rev. H. 0. Pritchard 



Commencements 203 

Mattinata Tosti 

Love's Question Coverly 

Mrs. Raymond Aylsworth 

Address 

Rev. A. D. Harmon 

Gypsy Dances ......Nachez 

Miss Genevieve Fodrea 

Conferring of Degrees and Awarding of Diplo- 
mas and Certificates 

Chancellor W. P. Aylsworth 

Italia .Donizetti 

University Chorus 

Commencement Program, June 11 1914 

March Hollander 

Miss Edna Johnson 

Fifth Symphony Beethoven 

Miss Clara Dill Miss Eula Scarce 

Miss Burl Berry Miss Zella Grim 

Invocation 

Rev. H. H. Harmon 

My Thought of You (from Love's Dial) E. L. Ashford 
Miss Hettie M. Turner 

Commencement Address 

Rev. W. F. Richardson, Kansas City 
Conferring of Degrees and Awarding of Diplo- 
mas and Certificates. 

One evening in each commencement Aveek is given to 
the School of Music. Everyone looks forward to an 
evening of unalloyed pleasure. The program given in 
1912 will call to our minds these musical treats of the 
past. 



204 History of Cotner University 

COTNER SCHOOL OF MUSIC— Season 1911-12 

Commencement Recital 

Saturday Evening, June 1, at 8:00 o'clock 

University Chapel 

PROGRAM 

Rondo - - Field 

Maid of Ganges Mendelssohn-Liszt 

Madge Murphy 

Longing Worden 

Ye Merry Birds Gumbert 

Hettie Turner 

Hark, Hark, the Lark Schubert-Liszt 

March in D flat Hollaender 

Hazel Reeves 

Everywhere Oley Speaks 

Flower Rain..... Schneider 

H. D. Shellenberger 

Egeria opus 35 . Kroeger 

Zora Grinstead 

Laughing Streamlet Spross 

Delizia ...Beethove^i 

Maurine Longman 

Adagio catible Beethoven 

Ada Burton 

A Rose Garden .Spross 

Will o' the Wisp Spross 

Bernice Weekly Marvel 

Larghetto MacDoivell 

Bessie Young 

Recompense Hammond 

Honor and Arms Handel 

L. J. Strain 
One program from each of the literary societies will 
rekindle in our minds the memory of many good pro- 
grams rendered. 



Commencements 205 

Mathesian Society, June 13, 1895 

Piano Solo, ''Loreley" Han Seeley 

Mrs. F. L. Sumpter 

Invocation.. 

Salutory 

Miss Grace Wiles 

Speech.... ''Christ in History" 

J. H. McSparran 

Vocal Solo, "Jerusalem" Henry Parker 

MabelFord 

Sermon Outline ''Discipleship" 

L. A. Hussong 

Selection Ideal Mandolin Club 

Recitation ''Aunt Parson's Story" 

Lucy Cone 

Oration.. ...."The Progress of Truth" 

D. W. Ohern 

Song, 'Therefore with Angels" V. Novello 

Aeolian Quartette 

Speech "The Model Man" 

H. J. Kennedy 

PiLOMATHIAN COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM 

Friday Evening, June 7, 1907 
Part I 

March Lola Miksch Sutton 

Ruth Vanderzee, Carrie Hubbard 

Invocation 

Oration "Joan of Arc" 

Howard Britt 

Vocal Solo, ''My King" Frank Lynes 

Nell Roggy 

Address.—.-. "An Echo from the Past" 

S. J. Epler, '05 

Quartet, "The Cooper's Song" (Baccaccio) Vo7i Suppe 

Messrs. Olmsted, Ling, Rethmeyer, Kleihauer 



206 History of Cotner University 

Part II 

ORIGINAL PLAYETTE 

''There's Many a Slip 'Twixt the Cup and the Lip'^ 

by 

Grace Trowbridge, Orville Johnson, Elsie Britt 

Dramatis Personae 

Gwendolin Carr . Helen Demarest 

Alice Osborne, friend of Gwendolin, Grace Trowbridge 
Herbert Francis, medical student, Cleveland Kleihauer 
Richard Luverne ,young lawyer, Austin Hollingsworth 
Hon. Chas. Montrose, dude from England, Elmer Child 

SYNOPSIS OF PLAYETTE 

Herbert and Richard are close friends. Richard is 
in love with Alice and thinks that Herbert also loves 
her. Alice prefers one of the young m^en, Gwendolin, 
the other. The dude tries to complicate matters still 
further, but fails. At last each one discovers the real 
state of affairs. 

The Expression department usually entertains the 
commencement audience by rendering some good play. 
Both modern and Shakespearean plays have been given 
with much credit. Enjoy them again by reading the 
programs. 

Shakespeare's Tragedy of Hamlet 

by the School of Expression, June 8, 1909 

cast of characters 

Claudius, King of Denmark ..Leon Moomaw 

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Clyde Cordner 

Ghost of King Hamlet, father of the Prince 

- Ernest 0. Sweaney 

Polonius, the Lord Chamberlain... .....Floyd Bash 

Laertes, son of Polonius Bert Wilson 

Horatio, friend to Hamlet Dan Troxel 

Rosencrantz, Courtier. Arthur Longman 

Guildenstern, Courtier ...Augustus Brokaw 



Commencements 207 

Osric, Courtier Roy Boyce 

Player King Clarence Miles 

Player Queen Mattie Britt 

Second Player Bess Van Buskirk 

Gertrude, Queen of Denmark Maurine Longman 

Ophelia, daughter of Polonius Bess Kirk 

Marcellus, Officer George Dill 

Bernardo, Officer Homer Young 

Francisco, a soldier Clarence Miles 

First Grave Digger .: Ted Cordner 

Second Grave Digger George Dill 

Priest Homer Young 

Attendant to the Queen_- Hannah Jacobson 

''Our Alma Mater'' 
by the School of Expression, June 7, 1910 

CAST OF CHARACTERS 

Marcus Aurelius Gaskill, Professor of Latin with 

a bug hobby Peter Cope 

Frank Harley, a Student Clarence Miles 

Bush Eggleston, a Student ''Bush with a Push"..-. 

. Ted Cordner 

Percy Wilkins, a Student ...Leon Moomaw 

Olaf Nielson, Olaf the "Assassin" a Student 

Rollin Squires 

Brown, a Student Roy Scott 

Tin Star Shine, Constable Bash Armstrong 

Mr. Fish Foregotson, a Loan Shark ..Ben Ogden 

Carius ~) C Dan Troxel 

Hope \ Kappa Omicron-Nus ) Ossie Wilmeth 

Olsott j I Ben Ogden 

Minerva Hope, Prof. Gaskill's Niece, Hannah Jacobson 

Ethel Wilkins, Percy's sister Agatha Gregg 

Mrs. Poore, who boards students.. ..Bessie Van Buskirk 

Jane Hampton, a Co-ed Hilina Benson 

Mary Madden, a Co-ed Olga Dye 

Co-eds Fannie Adams, Hetty Turner, Mabel Cutter 



208 History of Cotner University 

During the later years, one of the most enjoyable 
features of this great week is the senior class play. 
It is regarded as a sort of climax to their four years 
of strenuous work. We give the programs that you 
may read and enjoy them again. 

The Melting Pot 
By Israel Zangivill 

Presented by the Class of 1911 

DRAMATIS PERSONAE 

David Quixano Clyde Cordner 

Mendel Quixano Leon Moomaw^ 

Herr Papplemeister Arthur Ritchey 

Quincy Davenport Clarence Miles 

Baron Revendal Homer Young 

Baroness Revendal Helen Demarest 

Frau Quixano Mayme Philpott 

Kathleen ..Besse Van Buskirk 

Vera Revendal.. ...Wenona Wilkinson 

The Yoke 

hy Elizabeth Miller 

Rendered by the Class of 1912 

CAST OF CHARACTERS 

Maneptah, Pharaoh of the Exodus ....W. J. Carry 

Queen... Mary M. Hilton 

Rameses, Son of Maneptah, Crown Prince 

Robert B. Lemmon 

Ta-User, a princess, chosen by Egypt for Rameses' 

Queen Florence Leavitt 

Harhat, Fan-bearer to Pharaoh Orion P. Latimer 

Masanath, Daughter of Harhat Daisie McClintock 

Rachel, an Israelitish maiden Ethel Ranney 

Deborah, Rachel's attendant Mary M. Hilton 

Kenkenes, a young Egyptian sculptor.. ..Dan C. Troxel 

Moses, the lawgiver A. D. Brokaw 

Aaron, Moses' brother Dan C. Troxel 



Commencements 209 

Loi, High Priest to Amen A. D. Brokaw 

Guard, J. M. Packer 

Servant.— - Glenn Leavitt 

The Servant in the House 
Presented by the Class of 1913 

CAST OF CHARACTERS 

James Personby Makeshyft, D. D., the Most Rev- 
erend, the Lord Bishop of Lancashire 

Earl N. Griggs 

The Reverend William Smythe, Vicar. ..C. E. Lemmon 

Auntie, the Vicar's Wife.... Maurine Longman 

Mary, their niece Edna Hilton 

Mr. Robert Symth, a gentleman of necessary occu- 
pation Ben Ogden 

Rogers, a page-boy Avery Morton 

Manson, a butler Rodney McQuary 

The Lost Paradise 

by Ludwig Fulcla 

Given by the Class of 1914 

CAST OF CHARACTERS 

Andrew Knowlton, owner of the Knowlton iron 

works Harry Hill 

Reuben Warner, Superintendent of ''The Works" 

.Ross Williams 

Ralph Standish, the last leaf of the family tree 

Ed Britt 

Bob Appleton, hail fellow well met, and met very 

often Ernest Molloy 

Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Knowlton's man of business 

Carl Per Lee 

Joe Barrett, foreman .....Henry Hanner 

Schwartz John Shagool 

Old Bensel .....C. C. Smith 

Hyatt Lauren Christy 

Men at ''The Works'' 



210 History of Cotner University 

Billy Hopkins, a spark from the factory furnace 

Albert Austin 

Mrs. Knowlton, a motherly worlding, Andrew 

Knowltons wife ..Anna Oeschger 

Margaret Knowlton (their daughter), a pearl that 

the toilers at ''The Works' have set 

Nettie Sherman 

Polly Fletcher (Mr. Fletcher's niece), a country 

slip in city soil Mabel Cutter 

Julia, maid at Mr. Knowlton's Mabel Christy 

Nell Minnie Moomaw 

"Cinders" Madge Hill 

Kate Lela Witham 

Girls at "The Works'' 

SYNOPSIS 

Act I^ — The home of the Knowlton's — the place 
"Where the Pearl is Set." 

Act II — A glimpse into the life of the laboring class. 
Mr. Warner, the superintendent of the vv^orks, has long 
been in sympathy with the workmen, for he knows and 
realizes the poverty in which thej^ live. He has plead 
with Mr. Knowlton in vain for a betterment of their 
condition. Here we see "How the Pearl is Set." 

Act III — A very real but pathetic view of the dis- 
tress and wretchedness which exists in the home life 
of the factory people. Here is discussed the situation 
as it is seen, especially by Schwartz and Nell. 

Act IV — Nell asks Margaret to go and see where 
they live. She goes, and is convinced of the fact that 
her father is doing much for her at the expense of the 
workmen. Margaret secures from her father the right 
to grant the demand of the laborers. 

The play closes with those in wealth and those in 
poverty clasping hands and looking forward to the 
emancipation of the laboring class. 



Commencements 



211 



The Charity Ball 

By Bias CO and DeMills 

Presented by the Class of 1915 

CAST OF CHARACTERS 

John Van Buren, a New York Clergyman.. ..Alden Hill 

Dick Van Buren, his brother Leslie Strain 

Judge Knox, of the Supreme Court Peter Cope 

Alec Robinson Carey Martin 

Frankly Cruger, King of Wall Street Lawrence Dry 

Creighton, a stock broker Robert Conley 

Belts Elmer Strain 

Paxton Ernest Briggs 

Cain (child part) Paul Nichols 

Ann Cruger Hallie Lemon 

Phyllis Lee ...Cleo Dixon 

Bess Van Buren Edna Ranney 

Mrs. Van Buren Celestine Brock 

Mrs. De Peyster Mrs. Cope 

Each commencement has brought a speaker of prom- 
inence to Cotner to deliver the annual address. These 
addresses have been listened to with pleasure and have 
made an indelible impression upon the minds of the 
hearers. A partial list of the names of the orators is 
given : 
1891 B. W. Johnson 1906 J. H. Garrison 

1893 H. W. Everest 1907 W. J. Bryan 

1894 J. H. Garrison 1908 Charles Medbury 

1897 W. F. Richardson 1909 Burris Jenkins 

1898 B. O. Aylsworth 1910 A. D. Harmon 

1899 Benjamin L. Sm.ith 1911 G. B. Van Arsdel 

1900 B. J. Radford 1912 Charles A. Finch 

1903 J. V. Coombs 1913 E. L. Rouse 

1904 Mr. Dutcher 1914 W. F. Richardson 

1905 R. W- Abberley 1915 Charles Medbury 
One of the last programs at each commencement is 

given by the Alumni Association. The following was 
the list of toasts responded to upon June 9, 1915 : 



212 History of Cotner University 

ANNUAL BREAKFAST 

TOASTS 

Nettie Sherman, Toastmistress 

Conservation Saves Dollars-Minnie Y. Moomaw/14 
Observation Causes Enterprise. ...Lawrence Dry,'15 

Temptation Often Fortifies Hugh Lomax/05 

Navigation Rules Empires Clarence Miles/11 

Enervation Never Attains Edith Burgess, '13 

Reputation Sees Triumph E. M. Johnson,'07 

Seven-Thirty A. M. University Church 
And when commencement is over, alumni, students, 
and friends are all ''going home." 'Tacking up" is 
the work of the hour. Listen to the conversation you 
might hear: "Goodbye old man, you are coming back 
to the class reunion in 191....?" "Yes, sure." "Pleas- 
ant vacation Miss , you are coming back next 

year?" "Good luck until we meet again, fight hard, 
our Alma Mater is expecting great things of you." 
"I will do my best." Those who are most reluctant 
to leave are the graduating class of that year. Per- 
haps they are having their last class party. They all 
talk awhile, finish up all class business, and perhaps 
sing a song or two and then say goodbye with tears 
that won't stay back, filling their eyes and a lump rises 
in their throats. Whether teacher, student or alumnus, 
all say goodbye and with a hand clasp that rings true; 
go into the great world to "fight a good fight, finish the 
course and keep the faith." 



CHAPTER XXI 

Cotner Alumni 

To determine the value of a farm one inquires as 
to the harvest it yields; to estimate the ability of a 
man one looks up his record. Likewise a university 
can be measured by this same standard, that is, its rec- 
ord or the product or harvest it yields. 

The success of a university may be measured by 
three things ; its ability to draw young men and women 
into its midst and enroll them as students ; its power 
to hold these students until graduation and lastly the 
success attained by these graduates after leaving the 
university. Hundreds of students have been attracted 
to Cotner and at the twenty-six commencements al- 
ready held two hundred and two persons have been 
awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree, and twenty-one 
the Master of Arts, in addition to a large number who 
have received diplomas from the music, expression or 
commercial departments. This does not take into con- 
sideration another large group, who have received 
teachers' certificates from the normal department. At 
only two commencements, the first and third, has Cot- 
ner failed to confer the A. B. degree upon someone. 

The school was opened in the autumn of 1889, and 
at the close of the second year the first graduation 
exercises were held. Miss Ellen B. Atwater and Mr. 
E. D. Harris had the privilege of first calling Cotner 
''our Alma Mater." The average size of the twenty- 
four graduating classes is over eight members. Three 
times in the history of the school, in the years 1897, 
1899 and 1904, the graduating class consisted of but 
one member. These years were following the financial 
crisis when the student body was smaller than usual. 
The largest graduating class completed ts work in 1914. 



214 History of Cotnei^ Universitij 

It was a peculiar and happy coincidence that this 
should be the twenty-fifth anniversary of the school 
and that there should be twenty-five graduates. 

From the beginning Cotner has been a co-educational 
institution. The opportunities offered to women have 
been equal to those offered to men. The following 
table gives the number of men and women in each class 
and indicates that the proportion among the graduates 
is almost two to one in favor of the men. 



Year 


Men 


Women Year 


Men 


Women 


1891 


1 


1 


1904 


1 





1893 


3 


2 


1905 


5 





1894 


4 





1906 


3 


3 


1895 


4 


3 


1907 


....... 9 


2 


1896 


7 


3 


1908 


5 


5 


1897 





1 


1909 


13 


5 


1898 


3 


1 


1910 


4 


1 


1899 


1 





1911 ... 


10 


9 


1900 


2 


2 


1912 


6 


4 


1901 


3 


2 


1913 


8 


13 


1902.......... 


5 


1 


1914 


14 


11 


1903 


2 





1915 


13 


7 








Totals 


126 


76 



It has often been said that the saddest thing about 
college life is, the severing of friendship ties. Men 
and women enter the university at the age when friend- 
ships are most easily formed. College students are 
bound closely together during four years of association. 
Upon commencement day every friendship tie is broken 
and the graduates are scattered in every direction to 
take up the various vocations of life. A tabulation 
noting the location of Cotner's alumni shows how 
widely they are scattered. 



Cotner Alumni 



215 



State No. of Alumn 

Nebraska 94 

California 5 

Oregon 5 

Montana --. 4 

Wisconsin 2 

Maryland 3 

Colorado 6 

Utah 2 

Washington, D. C 1 

Kansas 17 

Connecticut 7 

Washington 8 

Wyoming 3 

Idaho ... 3 

Ohio .... 4 



i State No. of Alumni 

Indiana 4 

India 3 

China 1 

Philippines 2 

Iowa 1 

Michigan 1 

Missouri 3 

Oklahoma 1 

Texas 2 

Canada 1 

Minnesota 4 

Illinois 3 

North Dakota 1 

Arkansas 2 

Kentucky 1 



216 



History of Cotner University 



The following table gives a classification of the 
alumni of Cotner into ten groups according to the year 
of graduation. 











^ 
























<D 










T3 










>i 


r^ 










O) 




Class 


^ S 




03 


M 




'TS 




^. s 


fU 


M CO 


?H CO 


CD 




a; 42 


o 


1 O) 


5h 0) 


CD CO 


M 




r^ CO 


• 1-^ 


ou ^ 


O ; rt 


B 


c^ 


C^ ^ 




O «r-| 


Oi 


p ? 


^J -S 


P-H 


1^ Ki 




C3 ?^ 


ro 


S 1 ^ 


O 


c^ 


?H 


O 


O . -^ 




cu r: 


•r—l 


o 


cf, 


o 


3 


C« 


i-i 


<D i O 




H I§ 


§ 


w 


^ 


Q 


m 


1 


P 


Q 


Eh 


1891 


















1 


2 


1893 




3 


1 


1 














5 


1894 


2 


1 










1 








4 


1895 


2 


2 




2 






1 








7 


1896 


3 


1 




2 




1 


1 


1 




1 


10 


1897 


1 




















1 


1898 




1 


1 


1 












1 


4 


1899 














1 








1 


1900 


2 


1 










1 








4 


1901 




1 


1 


1 






1 


1 






5 


1902 




1 


' 


1 




1 


3 








6 


1903 




1 
















1 


2 


1904 


1 




















1 


1905 




4 
















1 


5 


1906 


1 


2 


2 


1 




' 










6 


1907 


1 


3 




1 






1 




5 




11 


1908 


1 


2 




3 






1 




2 


1 


10 


1909 


3 


6 


4 


2 






1 




2 




18 


1910 


2 


2 














1 




5 


1911 


6 


4 


1 


3 


1 




2 


1 


1 




19 


1912 




3 




2 


1 






1 


3 




10 


1913 


10 


2 








1 






8 




21 


1914 


8 


6 


1 


5 




1 


2 




2 




25 


1915 


10 


4 




1 










5 




20 


Total 


53 


50 


11 


26 


2 


4 


16 


5 


29 


6 


202 



Cotner Alumni ' 217 

Twenty-six of Cotner's graduates have been classi- 
fied as *'home-makers." To some it may seem that 
these women are doing but little in this world of many 
needs. Perhaps their names will not be written upon 
the scroll of fame, yet each is proud to be "just a 
helper" to the one whose life she shares. There is no 
more important or beautiful institution known to man 
than the home. Let us then pay our tribute ; here's to 
the queen of the most sacred of all institutions — the 
home. 

Four Cotner alumni have taken a law course and two 
are now practitioners in that profession. There is a 
large field for the clean, straight forward lawyer and 
there is no reason why a Cotner graduate should not 
attain prominence in the practice of law. Let us look 
farther among the great vocations of life to find the 
remainder of Cotner's men and women. In the med- 
ical profession we are not disappointed for here are 
four, curing the physical ills of the body and speaking 
a word that will uplift the soul. Yes, there are five 
farmers. There is perhaps no vocation in which the 
surroundings are more beautiful, the environment 
purer or the opportunity greater for the farmer ''feeds 
the world." This is an age of ''big business" which de- 
demands "push" as the life of enterprise, honesty as the 
only policy, and the "delivery of the goods" as the 
final test of success. The sixteen Cotner alumni are 
meeting every demand in the business arena. 

If all Cotner alumni could gather about their uni- 
versity home there would be six vacant chairs. Miss 
Ellen B. At water, a member of the first graduating 
class of Cotner, has been called to her reward. She 
was for a time an efficient teacher at Cotner and for 
many years filled an important position in the St. Louis 
High School as instructor in history. Howard H. 
Jones, of the class of 1898, is another absent member. 



218 History of Cotner University 

He was also a teacher, having spent several years in 
Cotner as instructor in science. Miss Donna Enyart, '08 
was taken in the prime of life when the years were 
full of promise. She was making preparation for 
greater usefulness when the golden cord was severed. 
Mrs. Blanche Smith Latta, '96, was suddenly called 
from the happy home over which she presided, leaving 
many friends and loved ones to mourn her loss. 
Howard L. Johnson, '05, was a man of great promise, 
having just been called to the chair of philosophy at 
Bethany College, West Virginia, when death came. 
Many expectations for a wonderful career were thus 
ended. T. Milo Keith, '03, for ten years a teacher at 
Cotner, was a great example of what zeal and deter- 
mination can dOo He was the embodiment of scholar- 
ship and manhood. 

The group that is placed in the column as the un- 
classified, according to- the table, include those who are 
engaged in work not represented by any of the other 
headings, taking care of aged parents, working at 
the old home or for reasons better knov/n to themselves 
than anyone else, are prevented from entering the 
active arena. It also includes those vv^ho are in other 
universities pursuing studies leading to higher degrees. 

There are four of the unclassified w^ho deserve spe- 
cial mention, Mr, George C. Aydelott, '07, is engaged 
in iyceum and chautauqua work filling about one hun- 
dred dates during the summer. In the fall and win- 
■ter months his time is completely taken, giving lectures 
in almost every part of the United States. His prin- 
cipal lectures are ''The Man of the Hour" and "The 
Twentieth Century Puritan." Prior to his beginning 
this work he was engaged in the ministry. He was 
pastor of the Christian church at Humboldt, Nebraska, 
Soniat Avenue Christian Church, New Orleans, Louis- 
iana and the church at Muskogee, Oklahoma. 



Cotner Alumni 219 

E. J. Sias, '07, is also in the lecture and chautauqua 
work. He has filled fifteen hundred dates in thirty 
states of the Union. All dates which Mr. Sias can fill 
are sold until 1920. For the past two years addresses 
have been given before several hundred commercial 
clubs. Special attention is being given to the "com- 
munitj^ interest" problem. Before he decided to give 
his entire time to lecturing, he was pastor of the Frank- 
fort, Indiana, Christian Church, which had a member- 
ship of over fourteen hundred. The tabernacle Chris- 
tian Church of Lincoln owes a special debt of gratitude 
to Mr. Sias. Between lecture engagements he acted as 
pastor for this new organization while they were strug- 
gling to make a start. To Mr. Sias this was a great 
financial sacrifice, but to the church an invaluable help. 

E. M, Johnson, '07, is doing a comimendable work as 
general secretary of the Nebraska Prison Association. 
The purpose of this association is to ''assist discharged 
prisoners to get the right kind of a start in life after 
their imprisonment. Since the parole system has been 
put into operation there are few prisoners who stay 
in the prison until the expiration of their maximum 
sentence. They receive a parole which enables them 
to go out while under charge of the state to show their 
ability to take their rightful place in society. In 
making the parole law, the state failed to make suffi- 
cient provision for the paroled man. He must have 
employment before he can leave the prison. He needs 
means to reach the place of his work and perhaps 
the most important, he needs a friend. The Associa- 
tion is giving its attention to supplying that which the 
state has neglected to supply." As general secretary, 
Mr. Johnson has this work under his supervision. He 
is also chaplain of the penitentiary. In this capacity 
he has charge of the religious work in the prison. The 
regular Sunday services consist of songs, prayers and 



220 History of Cotner University 

sermon. The Sunday school which follows the preach- 
ing service is supplied with volunteer teachers from 
the outside. All of the inmates are expected to attend 
the chapel service but the Sunday school attendance 
is voluntary and about half of the prison company 
come to the classes. It is gratifying to know that 
eighty-five per cent of the prisoners, assisted upon 
leaving the penitentiary, are living in right relations 
to society. Cotner should be proud of Mr. Johnson's 
work. He also has a good record as a pastor and evan- 
gelist. 

R. Kent Beattie, '95, is one of the noted graduates 
of Cotner. His education was received in the Oska- 
loosa, Iowa, and Lincoln High Schools and Cotner and 
-Nebraska Universities. His major work was always 
in botany. For thirteen years he was an instructor in 
Washington state college being head professor of bot- 
any for nine years. While there he constantly repre- 
sented the State College in Farmers and Teachers In- 
stitutes. He is now plant pathologist for the Federal 
Historical Board, Washington, D. C. He is a member 
of the National Scientific Association, The Association 
of American Botanists and other organizations of the 
same kind. Mr. Beattie has done extensive work in 
plant investigation which has been printed in bulletin 
form by the Washington agricultural station or by the 
United States Bureau of Agriculture. One of the most 
interesting is 'Tlants Used for Food by Sheep on the 
Mica Mountain Summer Range." Three books have 
been written by Mr. Beattie and C. V. Piper entitled 
"The Flora of the Palouse Region," ''Flora of South- 
eastern Washington and Adjacent Idaho" and ''Flora 
of the Northwest Coast." 

To receive the A. B. degree is good, but there are still 
goals that are higher for those who are eager for 
knowledge. A carpenter can complete his building; 



Cotner Alumni 221 

a farmer finish plowing his field, but a student can 
never finish his education. Something new is learned 
every day whether in or out of college. One of the 
tests of a true college is its ability to inspire its stu- 
dents to go higher after they have secured the A. B. 
degree. The following are the Cotner graduates who 
have secured higher degrees and the universities from 
which they have taken them : 

Ellen B. Atwater, A. M University of Chicago 

E. D. Harris, M. Sc Cotner University 

A. D. Harmon, A. M Cotner University 

F. S. Hemry, A. M University of Nebraska 

William Oeschger, B. D.... University of Chicago 

L. P. Bush, A. M Cotner University 

C. A. Finch, A. M ...Cotner University 

R. G. Aylsworth, A. M.... Yale Univeristy 

Alvin E. Evans, A. M University of Nebraska 

Alvin E. Evans, Ph. D University of Michigan 

Grace E. Young, A. M Cotner University 

J. W. Hilton, A. M University of Nebraska 

T. Milo Keith, A. M University of Nebraska 

M. R. Gilmore, Ph. D University of Nebraska 

Cleveland Kleihauer, A. M University of Nebraska 

Claire Armstrong, A. M. and B. D ...Yale University 

B. J. Brethouwer, A. M... ..University of Nebraska 

Leon A. Moomaw, A. M University of Nebraska 

John G. Alber, A. M University of Nebraska 

W. J. Carry, A. M Cotner University 

Edward Kechley, A. M Cotner University 

Those now working for higher degrees are : 

E. H. Longman Yale University 

Clay W. Longman Yale University 

Arthur Longman Yale University 

W. L. Watson.... University of Nebraska 

Lucile Brock.. University of Nebraska 

Edith Burgess. ..University of Nebraska 



222 History of Cotner University 

E. N. Griggs Yale University 

Rodney McQuary Yale University 

Robert Conley University of Nebraska 

Carl Worden University of Nebraska 

Alumni of Cotner University 

1891 

Ellen B. Atwater.. : Deceased 

E. D. Harris, farmer... I.anthers, Wyoming 

1893 

R. W. Abberly, Mangolia Avenue Christian Church 

Los Angeles, California 

John H. Bicknell, secretary of College Board, Cotner Univer- 
sity - Bethany, Nebraska 

Alice Gadd (Harmon), home-maker ..Cable, Wisconsin 

A. D. Harmon, professor of Sociology (elect) Cotner 

Cable, Wisconsin 

Cora E. Hemry, C. W. B. M. secretary for Nebraska 

Lincoln, Nebraska 

1894 

F. S. Hemry, professor Modern Languages in Jacob Tome's 

Institute .--. Port Deposit, Maryland 

R. A. Schell, pastor First Christian Church Boulder, Colorado 

F. L. Sumpter, business Salt Lake City, Utah 

Wm. Oeschger, Chancellor Cotner University.. Bethany, Nebraska 

1895 

R. Kent Beattie, U. S. Horticultural Dept. Washington, D. C. 

L. P. Bush, professor of Philosophy, Cotner University 

Bethany, Nebraska 

Addie Harris (Holmburg), home-maker Casper, Wyoming 

Minnie Leavitt, teacher Fowler, Montana 

J. H. McSparran, pastor. Meridian, Idaho 

Chas. A. Finch, pastor, First Christian Church 

Fayetteville, Arkansas 

Canna Wiles, (Finch), home-maker...... Fayetteville, Arkansas 

1896 

R. G. Aylsworth, Civil Engineer, B. & M. R. R 

Denver, Colorado 

Wilford C. Christy, farmer - ...Glendora, California 

Alvin. E. Evans, professor of Latin in Washington State 

College... Pullman, Washington 



Cotner Alumni 223 

W. T. Fisher, Department of Religious Education, Phillips 

Bible Institute Canton, Ohio 

Sarah Harris (Jones), home-maker Waco, Nebraska 

John M. Howie, professor of Mathematics State Normal 

- ----- -- PerU; Nebraska 

Meltha Miller (Fisher), homemaker Canton, Ohio 

George C. Ritchey, pastor. First Christian Church 

- Monmouth, Oregon 

Blanche Smith (Latta) : Deceased 

A. K. Turner, physician..- Petaluma, California 

1897 

Grace Effie Young professor of French a,nd German, Cotner 

University Bethany, Nebraska 

1898 

Kittie Austin (Aylsworth), homemaker Denver, Colorado 

J. W. Hilton, pastor. East Side Church. Lincoln, Nebraska 

Howard H. Jones Deceased 

Grant K. Lewis, secretary American Christian Missionary 

Society Cincinnatij Ohio 

1899 
Frank L. Evans, lumber business ....Hills City, Idaho 

1900 

Henry J, Kennedy, pastor.. Jewell, Kansas 

Walter H. Monroe, banker Los Angeles, California 

Elizabeth P. Ritchie, librarian ...Kalispell, Montana 

Jennie B. Ritchie, .teacher Otis Orchard, Wyoming 

1801 

Clara Austin (Monroe), homemaker Los Angeles, California 

Evelyn Hanna, stenographer Lincoln, Nebraska 

Harry C. Parmenter, farmer .Yutan, Nebraska 

Freeman L. Pettit, pastor, First Christian Church 

Independence, Kansas 

Clarence F. Swander, state secretary, Christian Missionary 

Society Portland, Oregon 

1902 

Daisy Aitken (Seybolt), homemaker Ashland, Nebraska 

Earl E. Boyd, physician Central City, Nebraska 

Harvey M. Johnson, business Clevelnd, Ohio 

Fred Meredith, business Lincoln, Nebraska 

Elmer E. Meredith, business Omaha, Nebraska 

C. A. Sias, pastor Carlton, Oregon 



224 History of Cotner Univei^sity 

1903 

T. Milo Keith -. .- Deceased 

Willard L. Mellinger, pastor Portland, Oregon 

1904 
Melvin R. Gilmore, Curator Museum, University of North 

Dakota Bismark, North Dakota 

1905 

Stephen J. Epler, pastor Fairfield, Nebraska 

Grant Hamm, pastor Wallowa, Oregon 

Howard L. Johnson -... Deceased 

Hugh L. Lomax pastor, Budd Park Church 

Kansas City, Missouri 

Manson E. Miller, pastor Kearney, Nebraska 

1906 

Clara Aylsworth (Kleihauer), homemaker.... Seattle, Washington 

Clarence C. Drummond, missionary Harda, India 

Lucile Ford, missionary Mahoba, India 

Lulu Harding (Smith), teacher.. Bethany, Nebraska 

Roy J. Lucas, pastor Bellaire, Kansas 

Kenneth Roland, business Clay Center, Kansas 

1907 

George Aydelott, lecturer Bethany, Nebraska 

Edward Clutter, evangelist Bethany, Nebraska 

Clara DeForest (Emery), homemaker Salt Lake City, Utah 

W. A. Dobson, student in Chiropractic School. ...Davenport, Iowa 
Mary A. Dobson, student in Chiropractic School 

Davenport, Iowa 

Austin J. Hollingsworth, pastor. Temple Church 

Kansas City, Kansas 

Edward M. Johnson, chaplain State Penitentiary, secretary 

Prison Reform Bethany, Nebraska 

Cleveland Kleihauer, pastor. University Church 

- Seattle, Washington 

G. M. Jacobs, business Seattle Washington 

Ernest J. Sias, lecturer ...Lincoln, Nebraska 

E. E. Smith, professor of Biology, Cotner University 

Bethany, Nebraska 

1908 

Claire Armstrong, pastor, Harlem Avenue Church 

Baltimore, Maryland 

Evelyn Corbin, teacher Sumner, Washington 

Mabel Davies (Tookey) homemaker Hooper, Nebraska 



Cotner Alumni 225 

Donna Enyart - - Deceased 

Mary Enyart Armstrong, homemaker Baltimore, Maryland 

Edward Kechley, pastor - .-..Louiston, Montana 

Clay W. Longman, graduate student, Yale University 

New Haven, Connecticut 

Edward H. Longman graduate student, Yale University 

New Haven, Connecticut 

Nellie Phillips Eidson, homemaker Sligo, Colorado 

Marion A. Swiger, business Lincoln, Nebraska 

1909 

Floyd Bash, pastor ...Highland, Kansas 

Ada Bash (Hunt), homemaker Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Ray E. Hunt, pastor, Grand Avenue Church.... 

Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Howard Britt, business Lincoln, Nebraska 

Elsei Brtt (Child), missionary work San Antonio, Texas 

Elmer Child, missionary work ..San Antonia, Texas 

B. J. Brethouwer, teacher Normal, Nebraska 

Charles E. Cobbey, pastor. First Christian Church.. 

Omaha, Nebraska 

Clara Dill, missionary work.... Hazel Green, Kentucky 

Ford A. Ellis pastor Traverse City, Michigan 

Edith E. Jones, teacher ....Long Island, Kansas 

Orville Johnson Philippine Islands 

B. F. Lively, pastor ....Mabton, Washington 

Arthur Longman, graduate student, Yale University 

---- ...New Haven, Connecticut 

Amarilla Smith (Foote), homemaker... White Pine, Montana 

Joseph E, Smith, professor of history. Eureka College 

--- _ Eureka Illinois 

Ernest 0. Sweaney, pastor North Bend, Nebraska 

Bert Wilson, western secretary of Foreign Christian Mis- 
sionary Society. ...Kansas City Missouri 

1910 

Ethel Ireland, teacher Gordon, Nebraska 

Orven H. Loomis, business and pastor Mound City, Missouri 

Thomas Perry, pastor ...Cherokee, Oklahoma 

E. L. Rouse, Dean State Normal.... Peru Nebraska 

LeRoy W. Watson, graduate student, Nebraska State Uni- 
versity Lincoln, Nebraska 

1911 

John G. Alber, pastor. South Omaha Church 

....South Omaha, Nebraska 

Merle Aspinwall, farmer Bethany, Nebraska 



226 History of Cotner University 

Clyde Cordner, mining business Central City, Colorado 

Helen Demarest (Squires), homemaker.. Crete, Nebraska 

George Dill, banker .._ ...._ Eldorado, Nebraska 

Clarence Miles, lawyer ...Lincoln, Nebraska 

Leon A. Moomaw, professor of History and Social Science 

Cotner University Bethany, Nebraska 

Vera Moomaw (Walford), homemaker Lincoln Nebraska 

Ernest Parminter, principal of High School. ...Elmwood, Nebraska 

Alma Perrine, teacher Mitchell, Nebraska 

Mayme Philpott, teacher... Omaha, Nebraska 

Arthur Ritchey, pastor York, Nebraska 

Joanna Somers, librarian Cotner Universiy... Bethany, Nebraska 

Bessie Van Buskirk ..Merna, Nebraska 

Bertha Wilson, teacher in High School Alliance, Nebraska 

Wenona Wilkinson, missionary to China. Nankin, China 

Stella Witham (Hall), homemaker Canton, Nebraska 

Frank Woten, pastor Gering, Nebraska 

Homer J. Young, pastor Alliance, Nebraska 

1912 

Augustus Brokaw, pastor Hiawatha Kansas 

W. J. Carry, pastor Staples, Minnesota 

Mary Hilton (Lemmon), student College of Missions 

Indianapolis, Indiana 

Orion Latimer, farmer Shenandoah, Iowa 

Robert Lemmon, student. College of Missions 

Indianapolis, Indiana 

Daisy McClintock( Griggs), homemaker. New Haven, Connecticut 

Harold Niebling, attorney-at-law Seattle, Washington 

Ethel Ranney (Wilmot), homemaker Bethany, Nebraska 

Dan C. Troxel, pastor Falls City, Nebraska 

Florence Leavitt Bethany, Nebraska 

1913 

Edith Anderson, teacher Toronto, Canada 

Gertrude Baldwin, teacher Kearney, Nebraska 

Hilma Benson Harvard, Nebraska 

Lucile Brock, graduate student, University of Nebraska 

Bethany, Nebraska 

Edith Burgess, graduate student. University of Nebraska.... 

Bethany, Nebraska 

Nelle Gingles, teacher Humboldt, Nebraska 

Earl N. Griggs, graduate student, Yale University 

New Haven, Connecticut 

Avery Morton, principal of High School.... Valparaiso, Nebraska 



Cotner Alumni 227 

Elsie Morton, teacher in High School Valparaiso, Nebraska 

B. E. Ogden, pastor Paola, Kansas 

J. M. Packer, physician Memphis, Nebraska 

Rollin Squires, teacher in Crete High School Crete, Nebraska 

Edyth Stansbury, teacher Vale, Oregon 

1914 

Albert Austin, bank employee Prairie Home, Nebraska 

Edward Britt, teacher in Exeter High School.. ..Exeter, Nebraska 

Lauren Christy, pastor La Crosse, Kansas 

Mabel Christy, homemaker La Crosse, Kansas 

Mabel Cutter (Packer), homemaker Memphis, Nebraska 

Bertha Ewers, homemaker Reserve, Kansas 

Henry Hanner David City, Nebraska 

Harry Hill, pastor Humboldt, Nebraska 

Madge Hill, teacher Emerson, Nebraska 

T. V. Hubbel, pastor Everest, Kansas 

Thomas Keros, business Lincoln. Nebraska 

Ernest Molloy, pastor Howard Lake, Minnesota 

Minnie Young (Moomaw), homemaker Bethany, Nebraska 

Anna Oeschger, teacher Valparaiso, Nebraska 

Carl PerLee, pastor Plattsmouth, Nebraska 

Ernest Pfeiffer physician Ruskin, Nebraska 

Elva Rulon, librarian State Normal Peru, Nebraska 

John Shagool, teacher _ Peabody, Kansas 

Nettie Sherman, primary department Bethany school 

Bethany Nebraska 

C. C. Smith Ulysses, Nebraska 

Goldie Stevens, teacher Minden, Nebraska 

C. H. Thomson, missionary to India Jubbulpore, India 

Hettie Turner (Wilmeth), homemaker Lincoln, Nebraska 

Ross Williams, pastor Clay Center, Nebraska 

Lela Witham, teacher Wymore, Nebraska 

1915 

Celestine Brock teacher _ Halsey, Nebraska 

Robert Conley, graduate student, University of Nebraska 

- Lincoln, Nebraska 

P. B. Cope, pastor Lebanon, Kansas 

Hazel Adams Cope, homemaker Lebanon, Kansas 

Clara DePue teacher Diller, Nebrask^ 

Cleo Dixon, principal of High School Diller, Nebraska 

Lawrence Dry, pastor Peru, Nebraska 

Fred Eaton, teacher Burr Oak, Kansas 

Earl Hanner, government teacher Philippine Islands 



228 History of Cotne?' University 

A. L. Hill - Bethany, Nebraska 

Hallie Lemon, student College of Missions 

Indianapolis, Indiana 

W. C. Martin, student, College of Law, University of Chi- 
cago - Chicago, Illinois 

A. W. Osterhout, teacher, assistant professor in mathema 

tics, Cotner University Bethany, Nebraska 

Josie Y. Osterhout, professor of English, Cotner Univer- 
sity --- ---.Bethany, Nebraska 

Edna Ranney, teacher - Red Cloud, Nebraska 

L. J. Strain, pastoral helper and chorus director 

_- Bethany, Nebraska 

Elmer E. Strain, teacher...- --McCook, Nebraska 

Carl Worden, graduate student. State University 

- --..- ----Lincoln Nebraska 

H. E. Weekly, teacher --Crawford, Nebraska 

E. E. Briggs, pastor..... ....Nebraska City, Nebraska 

1916 

Charles Streeter Winters Funck 

Drville Johnson F. A. Wilmot 

Dale Ellis Ruth Dixon 

Vlargaret Knapple Floss Strain 

L. A. Brumbaugh Hazel Reynolds 

Ora Sanborn Pearl Swartwood 

Russell Lemmon Charles M. Ewers 

Clyde Darner Frank Sanborn 

T. A. Blakleslee Tessa Stevens 

Nellie Packer H. Lee Woodward 

Prank Brokaw 



CHAPTER XXII 

Cotner Alumni Among the Colleges 

This is an age in which education is looked upon 
with favor, a college or university viewed with pride 




E. L. Rouse 

and the professor considered a man of importance in 
his community. In college halls, filling places of 
honor and honoring the college of their younger years, 
are to be found fourteen graduates of old Cotner en- 
gaged in educational work. The records of these four- 
teen are of interest to all. 



230 History of Cotner University 

E. L. Rouse, Dean of Peru State Normal 

Nestled among the trees and hills of southeastern 
JSfebraska is to be found one of Nebraska's foremost 
educational institutions in which E. L. Rouse is an 
educator. His first educational training was received 
in Cass and Nuckolls counties. Two winters were 
spent at old Fairfield College. After teaching in the 
rural schools for a few years, he spent one year at 
Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa. Re- 
turning to educational work, Mr. Rouse was for three 
years, principal of the Hebron schools and three years 
superintendent at Plattsmouth, when he was called to 
Peru State Normal. Mr. Rouse took his A. B. degree 
at Cotner in 1910. In 1912, he was made dean of 
Peru Normal. Mr. Rouse is very popular in the Nor- 
mal and over the state, and has more calls for insti- 
tute, lecture and commencement addresses than he can 
fill. He is one of Nebraska's leading educators. 

Fred S. Hemry, Modern Languages, Tome School 

Professor Hemry is a graduate of the Lincoln High 
School. He entered Cotner in 1890 and was graduated 
with the class of 1894. Three years later he received 
his A. M. degree from the University of Nebraska. 
Following this, a number of years were spent in teach- 
ing in Fairfield College, Henry College, Texas and 
Eureka College, Illinois. Further post-graduate work 
was done at John Hopkins and three summers were 
spent studying in Europe. He is now a successful 
teacher of Modern Languages at Port Deposit, Mary- 
land in the Tome School. The Tome School is for 
boys only and is the most magnificently endowed 
school for its size in the United States, being located 
on one of the most beautiful spots in the state of 
Maryland on the palisades of the Suspuehanna river, 
near its junction with the Chespeake Bay, About two 



Cotner Alumni Among the Colleges 231 

hundred boys under nineteen from all parts of the 
United States are enrolled. 

E. E. Smith, Biology, Cotner University 
Professor Smith was a farmer lad, born and raised 
on a farm in Johnson County, Nebraska, where he 




E. E. Smith 

received his early education. In 1907, he finished a 
seven year preparatory and college course at Cotner 
University, having entered at the age of seventeen. 
He spent several years in the ministry before contin- 
uing his education for one and one-half years at the 
University of Nebraska. In 1913, Mr. Smith came 
back to Cotner as instructor in Biology. 

William Oeschger, Chancellor of Cotner University 
In 1864, the father and mother of Chancellor 



232 History of Cotner University 

Oeschger came to this country of many nationalities 
from the beautiful land of lakes and forests, Switzer- 
erland. They located in the city of Philadelphia and 
while there, a little dark -haired son took up his abode 
with them. Finally in 1885, they located on a farm 
near Valparaiso, Nebraska. He received country 
school training near his home. In 1889, he came to 
Cotner, remaining five years, graduating in 1894 
with the A. B. degree. He then continued his educa- 
tion for four more years at the University of Chicago, 
receiving two degrees. He was a conscientious stu- 
dent, having the ability to apply himself to either work 
or play with the force of a strong man. He married 
Miss Dema Hopkins in the year 1899. Chancellor 
Oeschger served several churches as their pastor, re- 
maining with the people of Vincennes, Indiana, for 
ten years, when he left there to take the position of 
chancellor of Cotner. 

Grace E. Young, Modern Language, Cotner University 

An active dark eyed, dark haired girl spent her 
early childhood on a farm near Tecumseh, Nebraska. 
After finishing the country schools, she spent three 
years at Peru State Normal. Miss Young then 
taught one year before entering Cotner as a student 
in 1892. In 1897, she was elected to the chair of 
Modern Languages at Cotner after receiving her 
Bachelor's and Master's degrees. She has taken work 
at Nebraska nad Chicago Universities, aside from 
traveling in Europe in 1911, in better preparing her- 
self for her vv^ork as teacher of French and German, 
which position she has ably filled for nineteen years. 

L. P. Bush, Philosophy, Cotner University 
Professor Bush says concerning his birth : "The 
date of my birth is in the nature of a tradition, and 
as I grow older I am inclined to minimize the tradi- 



Cotner Alumni Among the Colleges 233 

tion, and to hold more firmly to the fact. Of course, T 
was present at the time, but my consciousness of the 
event is extremely hazy, in fact, I have no memory 
of it at all. Tradition says that I was born in a log 
house in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. This well- 




L. P. Bush 

known ear mark of greatness has signally failed in my 
case." His father died when he was only five years 
of age and he began to struggle to take care of himself. 
At fifteen, he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter 
and joiner's trade. He had, when he was nineteen, 
saved up enough from his apprenticeship to attend the 
High School in Troy, Pennsylvania. Here Professor 
Bush says, "Somewhere about this time I w^as married. 
This was not so much a matter of wisdom, perhaps, 
as good fortune." Enough money was borrowed to 



234 History of Coiner University 

attend another term of High School after which he 
taught one term in the ''backwoods" of Pennsylvania. 
Mr. Bush came to Nebraska in 1889, locating in 
Bethany as a carpenter and in 1890, started to take a 
six year course in Cotner, graduating in 1895. He 
commenced to preach in 1891 ; preaching in Tecumseh 
while in school and remaining there two years after 
graduation, at which time he returned to preach for 
Bethany Church and in April, 1898, began teaching in 
Cotner. Considerable postgraduate work has been 
done, better fitting him for his work. 

Melvin R. Gilmore, '04 

Curator of the Museum, North Dakota University 
Born on a farm near Valley, Nebraska, Doctor Mel- 
vin R. Gilmore attended the district school in winters. 
He qualified for a teacher and then alternately taught 
and attended the Fremont Normal finishing the highest 
course there. In 1903 he came to Cotner as an 
structor for half time and enrolled as a senior 
student, graduating in 1904 with the A. B. de- 
gree. In the fall he enrolled in the University of Ne- 
braska and so continued as a graduate student, teach- 
ing full time at Cotner. In June, 1904, he received 
the degree of A. M. from the University of Nebraska. 
In the same year, he registered as a candidate for the 
degree of Doctor of Philosophy, still teaching at Cot- 
ner. In 1911, he resigned at Cotner to take the po- 
sition of Curator of the Museum of the Nebraska 
Historical Society. He received the degree of Ph. D. 
from the University of Nebraska. In the spring of 
1916, he was elected as Curator, in the University of 
North Dakota. Dr. Gilmore is a scholar of rare abil- 
ity. He is an accepted authority upon many subjects 
pertaining to Indian life and to early conditions in 
the central west. Cotner considers him one of her 
strongest men. 



Cotnei' Alumni Among the Colleges 235 

Leon A. Moomaw 
History and Social Science, Cotner University 
Professor Moomaw was born in a sod house on the 
western Nebraska plains, in Scotts Bluff County. His 
early education was secured in a sod school house and 
from his mother at home. He graduated from the 
Bayard High School in 1905 and entered Cotner Uni- 
versity one year later. In 1910, the Bachelor of Ex- 
pression degree was received from Cotner School of 
Expression and the A. B. degree in 1911. For two 
years Mr. Moomaw was national traveling secretary 
for the International Prohibition Association, lectur- 
ing in about two hundred colleges and universities in 
the central and western states. He was married to 
Miss Minnie E. Young, a Cotner graduate, in 1914. 
For three years he has been head of the History and 
Social Science department at Cotner. 

W. T. Fisher, Religious Education, Phillips Bible Institute 

Professor Fisher is an Indiana product, but early 
moved to Ohio where he received his public school 
education. The years from twelve to sixteen were 
spent w^orking in a steel mill. At this time his family 
moved to a Kansas farm. When about twenty, he 
entered Cotner University, as he said, ''to begin prep- 
aration for the ministry, which had been my ambition 
for a number of years." He was graduated with the 
class of 1896. After graduation, thirteen years were 
spent ministering to three Iowa churches when he 
became Iowa State Bible School Superintendent. After 
four years in this capacity, Mr. Fisher was called to 
the department of Religious Education of Phillips 
Bible Institute at Canton, Ohio. This position he still 
holds. The Master's degree was received from Cot- 
ner in 1913. Mr. Fisher's record is one of which Cot- 
ner can be justly proud. 



236 History of Cotner University 

Elva E. Rulon, Head Librarian, Peru Normal 

Miss Rulon traces her ancestry back to the Hugue- 
nots, who left France because of religious persecu- 
tion. These people first located in Pennsylvania, but 
as civilization moved westward, they moved to Ohio 
and then to Illinois. Here, Miss Rulon was born. Her 
father died when she was but a child and with her 
mother and relatives, she moved to Nebraska, locating 
at Pawnee City. Her early education was received at 
Pawnee City Academy. Later she attended Fairfield 
College for two years. After teaching a short time. 
Miss Rulon entered Peru State Normal completing 
her course in 1896. One more j^ear was spent there 
in graduate work. She began her work as librarian 
in that important institution in 1898. Leaves of ab- 
sence have been granted to her at different times in 
order that she might pursue her studies. A course 
at the Pratt Library School of Brooklyn, N. Y., was 
completed in 1907. One summer was spent at Chi- 
cago University and in 1914 she was graduated from 
Cotner University. 

Joseph E. Smith, History, Eureka College 

Mr. Smith is a Kansan by birth, but received his 
early training in the Fremont, Nebraska, High School. 
Three years were spent in Cotner. He won the Cecil 
Rhodes scholarship in 1908, and studied in Oxford, 
England for three years, spending his summers travel- 
ing in Europe. Upon his return to America, he was 
employed for two years in Phillips University at Enid, 
Oklahoma. Wishing to pursue his studies further, 
Mr. Smith entered the University of Nebraska and 
secured his Master's degree. He is now professor of 
History at Eureka College in Illinois, where he is 
''making good.'* 



Cotner Alumni Among the Colleges 237 

Alvin E. Evans, Latin, Washington State College 

Mr. Evans was born on a farm near Valley, Ne- 
braska. His early years were spent in the common 
school, coming to Cotner at the age of fifteen. After 
completing his college course, he taught for a time at 
Cotner University. His Master's Degree was received 
from the Nebraska State University. The next two 
years were spent in teaching at Eureka College, Illi- 
nois. After a year of further study at the University 
of Chicago, Mr. Evans taught at Racine, Wisconsin, 
and in the State University of Washington. Still 
wishing to better equip himself, he secured his Ph. D. 
degree from Ann Arbor University, Michigan. For 
the past six years he has been engaged as instructor 
of Latin at Washington State College. During these 
years, he spent all his spare time in the study of law, 
in which he wished to specialize. In the fall of 1915, 
he entered the Harvard Law School, having secured 
a leave from his teaching work, and will receive his 
degree in 1916. Mr. Evans is an exceptional scholar, 
a successful teacher and a splendid man. 

John M. Howie, Mathematics, Peru Normal 
An Iowa farm was the birth place of Mr. Howie. 
At an early age he moved, with his parents, to Bloom- 
field, where he received his common and high school 
education. When he was but a lad he showed marked 
ability in penmanship and, upon the completion of his 
high school course, became instructor in that subject 
at the Southern Iowa Normal. While teaching, he 
also took enough school work to graduate in 1889 from 
the Normal. Not being old enough to get a certificate 
in Iowa, he came to Nebraska and taught in a country 
school in Saunders county, from 1889 to 1891. He 
was a student and instructor of penmanship and draw- 
ing at Cotner University for the two succeeding years 



238 History of Cotner University 

and principal of the Commercial department at that 
place, from 1893-'94. Mr. Howie was a student and 
assistant in mathematics at the University of Ne- 
braska the following year. The same work was pur- 
sued at the University of Wisconsin from 1895-'97, 
and one year was spent as instructor of mathematics 
in the Eau Claire Wisconsin High School. The posi- 
tion, as head of the department of mathematics at 
the Nebraska State Normal at Peru, has been well 
filled by Mr. Howie since 1898. 

Lulu Harding" Smith, Domestic Art, 
Nebraska School of Agriculture 

Miss Harding was born at Humboldt, Nebraska, 
in 1883. All of her early education was received at 
Humboldt, being a graduate from the high school of 
that place under Professor R. L. Hoff. After four 
years work at Cotner, she received the A. B. degree 
with the class of '06. She was the first graduate from 
Cotner to receive a teacher's life certificate. Six 
years were spent as a teacher in the public schools, 
before beginning her work in 1914, first, as a student 
and later as a teacher in the Domestic Art department 
of the Nebraska School of Agriculture. 

Albert W. Osterhout, Assistant in Mathematics, 
Cotner University 

Of a jolly nature is Albert W. Osterhout. Perhaps 
a reason for this disposition is found in the fact that 
as a youth he enjoyed the bitter with the sweet. He 
was born in Illinois, but four times with his parents he 
made the trip between Illinois and Nebraska in a cov- 
ered wagon, the last one being made when he was past 
thirteen. The district schools of Nebraska and Illinois, 
the high school at Sycamore, Illinois, the state normal 
at Peru, Nebraska, the State University and Cotner 
University have each had a part in his education. 



Cotner Alumni Among the Colleges 



239 



Farming, teaching and going to school was the pro- 
gram for a number of years and now it is preaching, 
teaching and going to school. In 1894, Mr. Osterhout 
w^as married to Josie E. York, a former schoolmate, 
pupil and classmate. He began his work in Cotner in 




A. W. Osterhout 

1902, one year being Dean of the Normal School, seven 
years principal of the Business School and the last few 
years assistant in mathematics. Mr. Osterhout re- 
ceived his A. B. degree from Cotner University in June, 
1915. 

Josie York Osterhout, Head of English Department, 
Cotner University 
A little, prim, dark haired, dark eyed girl started to one 
of the country schools in Johnson County, Nebraska, 



240 



History of Cotner University 



on her fifth birthday anniversary and continued a pupil 
in that school until 1886 when she entered the prepar- 
atory course of the State Normal at Peru, Nebraska. 
Mrs. Osterhout was graduated from this school in 
June, 1893, having been out but one year, in which she 
taught at Nemaha City. The school year of 1893-4 
she taught in the Weeping Water High School. Since 
her marriage she has spent two years in the country 
schools of Nemaha county, one year in the grades of 
the Humboldt schools and fifteen years in Cotner Uni- 
versity. By doing extra work in Cotner University 
and attending summer school at the State University, 
Mrs. Osterhout prepared herself for the A. B. degree 
which was granted her in June, 1915. For two years 
she has been the efficient head of the department of 
English in Cotner University. 




J. H. Bicknell, Secretary of the College 



CHAPTER XXIIl 

Cotner Alumni Among" the Churches 

The church is the institution through which the 
sweetest and best human thoughts are unfolded and 
given to the world. It is through the teachings of 
the church that man approaches nearest the Divine 
and by His power he forsakes sin, corruption and 
immorality. It is the greatest moral and spiritual 
agent known to man. One of the principal reasons 
for the establishment of Cotner University was to 
provide a place for the training of young men for 
the ministry. In that hope her founders have not been 
disappointed. Over forty per cent of the Christian 
preachers of the state of Nebraska are either Cotner 
alumni or former students. Fifty, of the two hun- 
dred and two Cotner graduates are ministers. Cotner 
is proud of all and ashamed of none of her preachers. 
In this chapter it is our purpose to take the reader 
upon a journey among the Christian churches where 
Cotner's alumni are pastors. Just a few lines of a 
biographical sketch of these men and a few words 
about their churches will be of concern to all because 
Cotner is a big family, each interested in the other. 

We will begin the journey in the far east at Balti- 
more, Maryland, where we find H. C. Armstrong, '08. 
Mr. Armstrong's place of birth was in a little log cabin 
in the woods of Illinois in 1877, but he grew to man- 
hood upon the plains of western Kansas. Four years 
were spent in Cotner, securing the A. B. degree. The 
A. M. and B. D. degrees were received from Yale Uni- 
versity. He was married to Miss Mary R. Enyart, a 
Cotner graduate, September 16, 1908. In 1912, Mr. 



242 



History of Cotner University 



Armstrong was called to the pastorate of the Harlem 
Avenue Christian Church of Baltimore, Maryland. 

The Baltimore church is among the old churches, 
it having been organized as a Baptist church about 
1805, but a little later joined the movement led by 
Alexander Campbell. Mr. Campbell held an evangelis- 
tic meeting for this church in 1835. The first convert 
was Theodatus Garlick, the world's famous sculptor 
and surgeon. The graded Sunday school system was 
first worked out and established in this church. The 
church has a well equipped, substantial building, and 
a membership of about six hundred. Mr. Armstrong 
holds many positions of special prominence connected 
with the Christian churches of Maryland. 




Ford Ellis 



Ford A. Ellis, '90, is located at Traverse City, Mich- 
igan, a city of fifteen thousand population. Mr. Ellis 
spent his boyhood days upon a farm near Broken Bow, 
Nebraska. His education was received in the Merna 
High School and at Cotner University, In college, he 
was a football player and an orator, winning at both. 
Mr. Ellis is a graduate from Cotner School of Expres- 
sion as well as from the College of Arts. His life com- 



Cotner Alumni Among the Churches 243 



panion, Miss Elsie Bankson, is a graduate from Cot- 
ner School of Music. 

The Traverse City church has a membership of five 
hundred, a good building, and a good opportunity for 
work. This church has sent twelve boys into the min- 
istry. During the two years of Mr. Ellis' ministry, 
three hundred and twenty-five have been added to the 
church, seventy having been recently added by a home 
force meeting. Mr. Ellis is president of a number 
of important social and religious organizations of his 
€ity. 





A. J. Hollingsworth 









Temple Church 








Just west of the Missouri river A. J. Hollingsworth, 
'07, is found. His place of birth was on a farm near 
Ashland, Nebraska, where he took a course in agricul- 
ture before taking the one in brain culture at Cotner. 
Mr. Hollingsworth held a number of important pas- 
torates before being called to the Temple Christian 
Church in Kansas City, Kansas, where he is doing 
splendid work. The church has great possibilities be- 
fore it, on account of its favorable location. The 
membership is about three hundred. 



244 



History of Cotner University 




Budd Park Christian Church 



Kansas City, Missouri, is the home of Hugh Lomax, 
'05, who was born in a Kansas log house and grew to 
manhood in that state and in Nebraska. He entered 
Cotner in 1896, but ill health prevented him from 
finishing his college work as soon as he otherwise 
would have done. After a few unsuccessful attempts 
at preaching he decided to change his plan and give 
up the ministry. Being more successful later, he 
decided to make it his life work. He has now been in 
the ministry for ten years, serving the churches at 



Cotner Alumni Among the Churches 245 

Auburn, Nebraska, and at Highland and Abiline, 
Kansas, before going to his present location. 

The Budd Park church has four hundred and twen- 
ty-five members. The building is a new, beautiful, 
well arranged structure, located in a rapidly growing 
part of the city. Every branch of the church is grow- 
ing and everybody likes Hugh Lomax. 




Ray E. Hunt 

In the northern metropolis of Minnesota, Ray E. 
Hunt, '09, is located with the Grand Avenue Christian 
Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Hunt arrived in 
this world in March, 1884, near Galesburg, Kansas. 
While in college he was very active in all literary and 



246 History of Cotner University 

social functions. After graduating he began work 
with the First Christian Church of Duluth, Minnesota, 
where he labored for five years with marked success. 
The Grand Avenue Church, where Mr. Hunt has la- 
bored for the past year and a half, has a membership 
of about two hundred and fifty. 

For the past four years Mr. Hunt has been presi- 
dent of the Minnesota Christian Missionary Society 
and for the last two years, office secretary. During 
the four years, the Minnesota Christian churches 
have increased in membership from two thousand 
seven hundred to five thousand. Much credit is due 
Mr. Hunt for this remarkable growth. 

After leaving Minneapolis, we journey to Omaha 
where two more Cotner alumni are found. Charles E. 
Cobbey, 09, is pastor of the First Church, located 
at 26th and Harney streets. His career was begun 
in 1885 at Beatrice, Nebraska, where he spent his 
boyhood and received his early education. In 1903, 
relatives called him to Columbus, Indiana, assuring 
him they had work for him to do. Upon his arrival, 
he found himself employed as pastor of the East Co- 
lumbus church. He went to work, although he had 
never thought of preaching, and held the work for 
three years. This was the beginning of his life work ; 
since then many successful pastorates have been held. 
His higher education was received at Cotner, where 
he was especially active in all college life. He says 
my greatest ambition is, ''to preach the gospel until I 
am seventy-seven." 

The year 1868 saw the first Christian church organ- 
ization in Omaha perfected, although C. R. Hand held 
a meeting there in 1865. The first building was 
erected through the efforts of D. R. Dungan. This 
congregation has had six church homes, the last is val- 
ued at $65,000 and is a modern, up-to-date struc- 
ture. The membership of the church is over five hun- 



Cotner Alumni Among the Churches 247 




John Alber 



248 History of Cotner University 

dred. Over three hundred are enrolled in the Bible 
school. This church is growing in every department. 
C. E. Cobbey is a live wire. 

John G. Alber, '11, is leader of the South Side Chris- 
tian Church of Omaha. He is a Cotner alumnus of 
which all are proud. During his college days he 
served in a very sueccessful manner as student pas- 
tor at Peru, Nebraska. His next pastorate was at 
Auburn, Nebraska, where through his rare ability as 
a carpenter he was able to direct the work of con- 
structing a splendid building and did a great deal of 
the actual work himself. He also made the pulpit, 
desks and many useful articles for the church. 

The South Side Christian Church of Omaha, for 
which Mr. Alber is now laboring, was organized in 
1890. For some time this organization had no real 
church home. Finally a small two-story building was 
constructed on the alley of a lot which had been pur- 
chased. Services were held upon the first floor, while 
the pastor lived upstairs. In a few years a building 
belonging to the Methodist (colored) people was se- 
cured and placed upon the front of the lot. This was 
used until 1909, when the present splendid building 
was dedicated. The church has now a membership 
of over two hundred and twenty-five. 

In the capitol city of the state, J. W. Hilton, '98, is 
found with the East Lincoln Christian Church. It 
was organized in 1890, as a mission of the First Chris- 
tian church under the direction of C. W. Hemry and 
later of R. W. Abberly. C. B. Newnan was pastor of 
the First Church at the time. Under this direction 
the mission had finished and dedicated the first chapel, 
the main part of the present old building. J. W. 
Hilton is now the eflficient pastor of this church. 

The pastors in order of service, have been as fol- 
lows others have served temporarily : 



Cotner Alumni Among the Churches 249 

R. W. Abberley, June 19, 1890 to June, 1895. 

J. W. Hilton, July, 1895, to July, 1898. 

G. J. Chapman, July, 1898, to February, 1899. 

F. L. Pettit, April, 1899, to April, 1900. 

J. W. Hilton, May, 1900, to September, 1901. 

E. E. Boyd, November, 1901, to December, 1905. 

Z. O. Doward, April, 1906, to October, 1908. 

W. H. Zenor, April, 1909, to July, 1910. 

J. W. Hilton, August, 1910, to . 

The present pastor will complete ten years of serv- 
ice with the congregation in May of the present year, 
having been called for the third time to the work in 
1910. The congregation now has a membership of 
344 resident members with a few non-residents, who 
maintain an active relationship. On November 2, 
1913, the new basement of a $30,000 modern church 
building was completed at a cost of $8,538.67. This 
amount is about paid and plans will soon be in opera- 
tion, is is hoped, for the completion of the useful 
workshop. 

Whenever we arrive, we will find Dan C. Troxel, 
'12, working with the Falls City, Nebraska, Christian 
church. The subject of this sketch was born in the 
summertime of the '80's, and in the summertime of 
the year, July 14. He is a native Nebraskan, was 
born on a farm three miles southeast of Clay Center. 
His father, reared in a Disciple home, homesteaded 
in Clay county with a colony of lowans in 1872. His 
mother, a Baptist, born in North Carolina, home 
steaded on an adjoining section. Later, standing be- 
fore Worthy T. Nemcomb at Fairfield, Nebraska, these 
homesteads and homesteaders were united. Dan just 
grew as other boys do. At the age of eight, a boy's 
best companion, his mother, was laid to rest. He was 
graduated from a ten grade high school at the age of 
fourteeen, then served his apprenticeship in a print- 



250 



History of Cotner University 




u 

X 

Q 



X 



Cotner Alumni Among the Churches 251 

shop, becoming foreman of a large press room. He 
entered Cotner University in 1906, finishing in 1912. 
A week after graduation he was married to Mattie 
L. Britt. 

The church at Falls City had its beginning in an 
organization as early as 1870. The building, which 
was completed in that year, is now used for school 
purposes. This organization was to suffer a peculiar 
calamity. The pastor, board and building were cap- 
tured by the Baptist people. The remnant of the con- 
gregation later rallied and met in the old Odd Fellows 
hall at 15th and Stone streets, now occupied by Wahl's 
store. This remnant so flourished that within a few 
years they had regained a number who had gone with 
the Baptists and also Bro. Beardsley, the Baptist min- 
ister at that time. Thus regaining all they had lost 
except the building. W. E. Neal from Kentucky 
assisted in re-organizing this group in 1877. R. C. 
Barrow held a meeting in which about forty united 
with the church. A new building v/as dedicated in 
1878 by J. B. Briney, still prominent in our brother- 
hood. By 1910 the old church was too small and a 
portentious buildine enterprise was launched. As a 
result the present $30,000 church plant was dedicated 
in 1911. During the building campaign, F. E. Day 
bore the burden and vigorously pushed the plans, as 
pastor of the church. Since 1914, Dan C. Troxel has 
been laboring with the church and is deeply en- 
trenched in the hearts of his people. 

Another live church in Nebraska is under the direc- 
tion of Arthur F. Ritchey, '11, as commander in chief. 
He was born in 1882, in Wellington, Kansas, where 
his father was engaged as a Presbyterian minister. 
Mr. Ritchey is a graduate of Boyles Business College^ 
Omaha and Cotner University. During the ten years 
in which he has been engaged in the ministry, four 



252 



History of Cotner University 






A. F. Ritchey 

were spent with the church at Bennett, Nebraska, one 
as a singing evangelist and five at York, where he has 
been called for another five years. A wife and three 
little girls complete his happy home circle. 



Cotnei^ Alumni Among the Churches 253 

The Christian church of York was organized as a 
result of the work of R. C. Barrow in 1886. The 
membership is at present five hundred and thirty-one. 
Over five hundred have been added to the church 
during the ministry of Mr. Ritchey. The Bible school 
enrollment is over three hundred. Every phase of the 
church work is progressing. 

C. E. Lemmon, '13, is pastor of the First Christian 
Church at Hastings, Nebraska. He is a Nebraskan by 
birth and residence. Before coming to Cotner, he 
was graduated from the Waco High School and the 
York Business College. Prior to taking his college 
training, several years were spent in business. While 
a student he ministered for the church at Douglas, 
Nebraska, for four years. He served the Ashland 
church one year before being called to Hastings. 

As in many other cases the Hastings church was 
organized by R. C. Barrow in 1885. For a long time 
they worshipped from place to place until a small 
frame building was erected. After a meeting, held 
by Charles Reign Scoville in 1910, a new building 
was planned. As a result, the $30,000 structure was 
dedicated in 1911 by Chancellor William Oeschger. 
The new building is modern in every respect, having 
ample room for a Bible school, which averages about 
three hundred. The church membership registers 
four hundred and seventy-five resident members and 
one hundred fifty non-resident. This is a growing- 
church. 

Manson E. Miller, '05, is located at Kearney, Ne- 
braska, where one of the State Normal Schools is sit- 
uated. This church was organied in 1882. The pres- 
ent church building is of brick and stone, built in 
1912, and seats about seven hundred. The building 
stands oppsite the big Midway hotel on Central Av- 
enue, and is also on the street known as the "Lincoln 



254 History of Cotne?' University 

Way" which is the trans-continental highway. Tour- 
ists are continually taking pictures of the building. 
The present resident membership is three hundred; 
forty have been added since the present pastorate 
began eight months ago. 

Mr. Miller first opened his eyes to the light of day 
in Iowa in 1874 and he says: ''According to the evi- 
dence of my mother, I entered the state of Nebraska 
under protest, being at the time but five months old, 
and lying on my back with my heels in the air." His 
education was received at the Greenwood, Nebraska, 
High School; at Cotner Business College and later in 
the regular College of Arts. Pastorates were held at 
Exeter for two years and Clay Center, Nebraska, for 
eight years before locating at Kearney. 

Fairfield has the distinction of being one of the 
pioneer points for organized Christian church work 
in Nebraska. The Fairfield Christian Church was 
organized in the school house by W. T. Newcomb, 
June 16, 1878. The number of charter members was 
eight. W. T. Newcomb and James H. Artrup were 
the elders ; Joseph Webb and S. J. Anthony were the 
deacons. The legal organization known as ''The Fair- 
field Christian Church" was perfected November 1, 
1881. The congregation met in a school house, which 
was purchased January 4, 1885, when D. R, Lucas 
dedicated it as the new church building. This was a 
neater and more suitable structure for the growing 
congregation, costing about $3,000. By the year 1885 
the membership had grown to two hundred and five. 
During the eighties the Christian College was located 
at Fairfield and continued to exist until the nineties. 
The college was a great strength to the church and its 
influence still remains. In 1907, the church building 
was improved and enlarged but unfortunately it was 
completely destroyed by a cyclone a year later. The 



Cotnei^ Alumni Among the Churches 255 

membership showed great determination by going for- 
ward under the leadership of H. C. Williams. Al- 
though the old building was not free of debt, a new 
modern plant was dedicated by L. L. Carpenter in 
1909. The present membership is three hundred and 
twenty-nine. 

The minister to this church for the past three years 
has been Stephen J. Epler, '05. Nebraska City, Ne- 
braska, was his birthplace, but his early childhood 
was spent on a farm near Tecumseh, Nebraska. He 
is a graduate of the Tecumseh High School and of 
Cotner University. Mr. Epler ministered to the 
church at Brooklyn, Iowa, for four years and the 
same length of time to the West Liberty, Iowa, church. 
Miss Blanche Parmenter of Bethany became his wife 
in 1906. He attributes much of his success in the 
ministry to her. 

Leaving Nebraska, we must visit two Kansas 
churches. Floyd A. Bash is making the work go at 
Highland. He began his career on a Nebraska farm, 
iirst seeing the light in 1885. He is a graduate of the 
Adams High School and of Cotner University. While 
in school he was a participant in all college activities. 
Mr. Bash is now filling his third regular pastorate, the 
first being for one and a half years at Dorchester, 
Nebraska ; second, four years were spent with the 
Christian church in Sheridan, Wyoming, where over 
three hundred new members were added. In 1914, 
he came to Highland, Kansas. In the year and a half, 
over one hundred have been added and a $7,000 ad- 
dition built to the church. The total membership is 
a little less than four hundred. This church supports 
two living link missionaries. Mrs. Bash, formerlj^ 
Miss Carrie Hubbard, a graduate of Cotner Music 
School, is an able assistant to Mr. Bash, who is ''mak- 
ing good." 



256 



History of Cotner University 



Floyd Bash 



At Independence, Kansas, Freeman L. Pettit, '01, 
is doing a good work. Mr. Pettit is a Buckeye by 
birth, but spent much of his early life as a Kansas 
farmer boy and school teacher. Six years were spent 
in Cotner and one in post-graduate work in Yale, 
preparatory to his life work in the ministry. He was 
married on June 12, 1901, to Miss Edna Bush, a Cot- 
ner girl. The Independence Christian church, for 
which Mr. Pettit labors, has seven hundred and sixty 
members. For the past three years the Bible school 
attendance has averaged nearly four hundred. The 
building is of brick, dedicated in 1909, and is a well 
arranged workshop, having a pipe organ and other 
modern equipment. The church property is valued 



Cotner Alumni Among the Churches 257 

at $35,000. This church is sure to grow. Independ- 
ence is a county seat town with a population of thir- 
teen thousand. 

When we journey in the south land, we find Charles 
A. Finch, '95, as pastor of the First Christian Church 
at Fayetteville, Arkansas. ''Back east,' in Pennsyl- 
vania in 1869, are given as the place and date of birth. 
After moving to Nebraska, he attended the Academy 
in connection v\^ith Fairfield College for two years. 
The A. B. degree was received from Cotner Univer- 
sity and also from Chicago University. Mr. Finch 
served as pastor for Christian churches at Newton 
and Cheney, Kansas, for three years each, when he 
began work with the First Christian Church of To- 
peka, where he remained for thirteen years. The 
Fayetteville church, where Mr. Finch has been for the 
past year, has a membership of four hundred. This 
city is the home of the State University and State 
Agriculture School of Arkansas, with a population of 
eight thousand, being the metropolis of the southeast- 
ern part of the state. Mr. Finch is making progress 
in his new field. 

Only one of Cotner's alumni, ministers for a Colo- 
rado church. R. A. Schell is v/ith the First Christian 
Church of Boulder. He was born in Illinois, but 
reared at Beatrice, Nebraska. His early education 
was received in the Beatrice public schools and in the 
Beatrice Business College. Upon graduation from 
Cotner University, he was engaged in teaching for 
three years before entering the ministry. Mr. Schell 
has served four churches in Nebraska: Ashland one 
year, Hebron eight years, and Hastings seven years, 
when he accepted the work at Boulder and has been 
there for three years. 

The Boulder church has six hundred and fifty mem- 
bers and is the third largest congregation in the city. 



258 History of Cotner University 

The average attendance at the Bible school is about 
three hundred. The church membership has been in- 
creased two hundred and twenty-five during the last 
three years. Plans are laid for the enlargement of 
the church building. The Boulder Christian Church 
is one of the strongest in Colorado and is considered 
very important on account of Boulder being the home 
of the State University. 

At last we reach the Pacific coast on our journey 
among the big Christian churches, where Cotner 
alumni are employed. Here we find R. W. Abberley, 
'93, with the Magnolia Avenue Christian Church of 
Los Angeles, California. Liverpool, England, is the 
birthplace and boyhood home of Mr. Abberley. In 
1888, he became a resident of the United States. Some 
of the pastorates held since graduation from Cotner 
were in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio and Minne- 
apolis, Minnesota. Two j^ears and five months were 
spent as general evangelist for the American Chris- 
tian Missionary Society. During this time one thou- 
sand seven hundred and forty-one were added to the 
church. 

The Magnolia Avenue church is one of the strong- 
est on the Pacific coast. The church has seven hun- 
dred and the Bible school four hundred enrollment. 
The church building is valued at $35,000. W. B. 
Alexander is the living link missionary from the 
church at Damoh, India. The C. W. B. M. help sup- 
port the missionary work in the mountains in Ken- 
tucky. Fifteen confessions were taken by Mr. Ab- 
berley on Easter day, seventy-five have been added in 
the last six months. 

George C. Ritchey, '96, was born in the ''show me" 
state in 1870, but is a Nebraskan by education, hav- 
ing received his training at Cotner. His first sermon 
was preached at Troy, Kansas, December 31, 1891. 



CoUier Alumni Among the Churches 259 

Since leaving Cotner, Mr. Ritchey has devoted his 
time to pastoral and evangelistic work. Some of the 
pastorates held were Humboldt and Harvard, Ne- 
braska, and Salem, Rosebury and Newberg, Oregon. 
Many important evangelistic meetings have been held 
and the following churches organized by Mr. Ritchey, 
Peru and Bancroft, Nebraska; Wellman, Iowa; New- 
burg and Wallowa, Oregon, and Meridan, Rupert and 
Emmit, Idaho. Mr. Ritchey was largely responsible 
for raising the money for the Oregon steamer to be 
used upon the Congo in Africa. He is now serving 
the Monmouth, Oregon, church, where the State Nor- 
mal is located. In June, he begins a pastorate with 
the Boyle Heights Christian Church of Los Angeles. 
In the far northeast corner of the United States is 
found a Cotner alumnus, who linked himself as closely 
as possible to Cotner by marrying, on New Years day, 
1908, the chancellor's daughter. Miss Clara Aylsworth. 
Mr. Cleveland Kleihauer was born, reared and re- 
ceived his early education in Nemaha county, Ne- 
braska. After six years work at Cotner the A. B. de- 
gree was received and work begun with the David 
City, Nebraska, Christian church, where he remained 
for four years. A short time was spent with the 
Redpath Lyceum Bureau. The A. M. degree, from 
the State University was received just before locating 
with the University Christian church at Seattle, Wash- 
ington, in October, 1912. This steadily growing 
church has a membership of two hundred seventy-five 
with a Bible school of over three hundred. The new 
church building, in process of erection, is designed es- 
pecially for Bible school work, having a capacity for 
a school of twelve hundred. It is thought that per- 
haps such a school would be needed in connection with 
the University of Washington, which is only two 



260 



History of Cotner University 



blocks away. Mrs. Kleihauer is a graduate of Cotner 
in '06, and proves herself a most efficient helper in the 
work. 




Cleveland Kleihauer 



This group of seventeen churches which we have 
mentioned includes those under the direction of Cotner 
alumni, which are either large in membership or located 
in large cities. They are among the greatest churches 
of the Christian brotherhood and in fact in the re- 
ligious world. Cotner's ministers are proving their 
ability to meet the religious problems as efficiently as 
the graduates of any Christian church college. These 
men are not only great in their capacity to govern and 
direct church life, but are daily called upon to create 



Cotner Alumni Among the Churches 261 

and mold the public mind of their community. They 
are not considered narrow and sectarian but rather 
broad minded, public spirited men. Great ministers 
cannot alone be measured by the membership of the 
church, nor by the city in which they are located; 
therefore, there is another group deserving of men- 
tion. 

In Nebraska, the following four young men are the 
pastors of live, growing churches. Carl E. PerLee is 
a native of Michigan and a graduate of Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, High School. His higher education was 
received largely through his own efforts as to finan- 
cial support. His early purpose in life was to obtain 
an education at the Michigan Agricultural College, 
but contact with Evangelist H. E. Wilhite in a meet- 
ing at the Christian church at Grand Rapids resulted 
in changing his entire course in life. Mr. PerLee en- 
tered Cotner University in the fall of 1911 and pur- 
sued a ministerial course. He was graduated with 
the class of 1914. Mr. PerLee had a pastorate at Mar- 
cus, Iowa, previous to taking the work at Plattsmouth, 
Nebraska, where he is now located. The church at 
this place is one of the historic organizations of the 
state. It was organized by Elder T. J. Todd in May, 
1860, with fourteen charter members, one of whom 
remains at this time, Isaac Wiles. For many years 
the church worshipped in the homes of the members 
or in rented halls. The present church property was 
purchased in 1874, from the Congregational church, 
for $700.00. Additions have been made to the build- 
ing, but it is yet inadequate for the needs of the rap- 
idly growing Bible school. The membership of the 
Plattsmouth church is two hundred and eighty. 

Peru, the home of one of the State Normal Schools, 
is the field where Lawrence Dry, '15, is laboring. Mr. 
Dry was born and received his high school education 



262 History of Cotner University 

at Chester, Nebraska. He proudly calls Cotner his 
Alma Mater. The Christian church at Peru, Ne- 
braska, has been organized for about twenty years 
and has a membership of a little less than two hun- 
dred. Much work is done among the normal students, 
who are there for eleven months each year. 

Harry J. Hill, '14, a Minnesotan by birth and early 
education, came to C. U. in 1900. He attributes the 
influence which confirmed his choice of life work, the 
ministry, to W. P. Aylsworth. The Christian church 
at Humboldt was assisted in its organization by R. C. 
Barrow. The membership of the church at present 
is two hundred and they worship in a modern build- 
ing erected in 1911. The Humboldt organization is 
one of the active churches of the state. 

Ross Williams, '14, hails from the state of Iowa. 
Before deciding to secure a higher education, he had 
had considerable experience in other lines. Three 
years spent in the U. S. navy, the same length of time 
as clerk for a Council Bluifs firm, and several years 
as employee in the Union Pacific R. R. shops at Omaha, 
Nebraska. Mr. Williams tells of his first preaching in 
these words : ''Did one year's preaching prior to en- 
tering Cotner in which some real pioneer work was 
done as I was forced to do preaching in the Avoods 
near Bentley, Iowa, after a sectarian church and a 
school house had been closed against me. During this 
experience a dam was constructed across a little 
stream so baptizing could be done. On Sunday after- 
noons preaching would be done under the trees in 
sight of the baptistry." The Clay Center church, with 
which Mr. Williams is now working, has a member- 
ship of three hundred. It is one of Nebraska's strong 
churches, located in a clean town. 

Across the border line in Kansas are some more of 
Cotner's active young preachers. Peter Cope, '15, is 



Cotner Alumni Among the Churches 263 

located with the church at Lebanon, Kansas. There 
is a splendid church building, a membership of two 
hundred and fifteen with prospects for the future 
brighter than ever before. Mr. Cope was born in 
Kansas, but moved with his parents to Hastings, Ne- 
braska, when but a year old. There he earned his 
own way previous to entering Cotner in 1907, and on 
through his college course. Student preaching was 
done at different points in Kansas and Nebraska. Mr. 
Cope's decision to enter the ministry was made when 
he was nineteen years of age and his determination 
has never wavered. 

T. V. Hubbel, '14, is making things go at Everest, 
Kansas. He was born in Hastings and spent his boy- 
hood days at Fairfield, Nebraska, receiving there all 
of his early education. Two years of college work 
were taken at Drake University and two at Cotner. 
The Everest church is a rapidly growing one, forty 
members having been added last year. The church 
was organized in 1908 and the new modern building 
was erected the following year. The Bible school is 
"front rank," each class being well organized, and 
each having a separate room. The future for the 
Everest church is propitious for greater work and 
growth. 

So it is, wherever we go the Cotner preachers are 
''making good." Those who have not been named in 
this chapter, who are serving smaller churches in the 
town or village, will receive their reward for God is 
there just the same as in the city church. 



CHAPTER XXIV 

Cotner Alumni in Missionary Work 

Leading Christian thinkers to-day believe in the 
evangelism of the world, not a part, but the whole 
of it. This is the age of a million opportunities in 
which to prove that we are our brother's keeper. This 
is indeed an age of progression; in our business the 
fifteen story building has taken the place of the two 
story one, in transportation the small train of 1832 
is a toy compared with the great engine drawing its 
long line of freight or passenger cars. Likewise, in 
this day, to confine missionary w^ork to a particular 
section is a dwarfed conception of a bigger job than 
business or transportation. Ten of Cotner's alumni 
are engaged in missionary work, four of these are 
in far away foreign lands. 

Mr. C. C. Drummond, '06, is Cotner's greatest mis- 
sionary, having been at Harda, India, an important 
grain and cotton market, with a population of six- 
teen thousand since November, 1897. Mr. Drum- 
mond was born at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1867, and is 
now in the noonday of usefulness. He was a graduate 
of the Arapahoe, Nebraska, High School, then of Cot- 
ner University Medical College in 1896. When home 
on a furlough he took the A. B. degree from Cotner 
with the class of 1906. Dr. Drummond and Miss 
Elizabeth liams were married August 24, 1897. In 
a short time they sailed for India, arriving November 
15, 1897. Strange and bewildering indeed were the 
scenes to the new bride and bridegroom ; heathen tem- 
ples and odd customs so opposite from American 
ways. Dr. Drummond uses his medical ability as a 
powerful means for doing good. He is the only Euro- 



Cotner Alumni in Missionary Work 265 

pean physician within a radius of sixty miles. People 
of at least twelve different languages come great dis- 
tances to receive treatment. Over thirteen thousand 
different persons are treated yearly ; as many of these 
come more than once the number of cases reaches 
twenty-five thousand. He preaches at the mission 
chapel twice per month. Not only by preaching, but 
in every possible way does he tell every patient he 
treats of the way of salvation. He officiates at wed- 
dings, baptisms, births, deaths and funerals. He is 
also secretary-treasurer of the Harda station which 
involves the business of the station, making reports 
and answering correspondence. The Missionary In- 
telligencer says: 'This excellent missionary is one of 
the most useful men the Foreign Society has ever been 
fortunate enough to appoint and support. Quiet, in- 
dustrious, persistent, good-humored, a lover of men, 
tactful, he is honored and loved by all his associates 
and all who come to know him." Mrs. Drummond has 
really been a true helper. 

Two other Cotner alumni in India are Miss Lucile 
Ford, '06, and Clinton H. Thomson, '14. Miss Lucile 
Ford spent most of her childhood days in Bethany. 
Her education was received in Bethany public school 
and Cotner Academy and University. Her plan for 
going to the foreign field upon completion of college 
was thwarted by ill health. Her second choice for 
life work was with children and she entered the Na- 
tional Benevolent Association Home at St. Louis, 
where she was for six years. Having regained her 
health she took one year's training in the Mission Col- 
lege, Indianapolis, Indiana, preparatory to sailing for 
India in September, 1915. As yet she has not begun 
her active work but spends from eight to ten hours 
per day studying the Hindu language at Jubbulpore. 
This will soon be completed and she will go to her 



266 History of Cotner University 

work at the girls orphanage at Mahoba, India, where 
she has been appointed to work. Miss Ford has gone 
to the foreign field as the living link missionary of the 
Christian church of Council Bluffs, Iowa. 

C. H. Thompson, '14, and his wife, Bertha Mangon 
Thomson, a graduate of the Cotner Medical College 
in '13, have been recently added to the missionary 
force in India. Mr. Thomson was born and reared 
on a farm near Red Oak, Iowa. Seven years were 
spent in Cotner. Student preaching was done most 
of the time. In 1914, he was married to Bertha Man- 
gon and together they entered the College of Missions 
at Indianapolis, Indiana. These young people are 
both well fitted for their work. They arrived at Jub- 
bulpore, India, in November, 1915, and have since been 
studying the Hindu language. They will soon begin 
their active work. 

Wenona Wilkinson, '11, is Cotner's missionary to 
China. She was born in Sheridan county, Nebraska, 
in 1887. Because of the number of Indians on all 
sides, she was given the Indian name, ''Wenona,'' 
meaning ''first born daughter." In 1903, Mr. and Mrs. 
Wilkinson went to Porto Rico as missionaries. This 
gave Wenona an opportunitj^ to learn the Spanish 
language. Upon their return she completed her work 
at Cotner and for two years was engaged as a teacher 
at Elmwood, Nebraska, when the call came to her to 
go as a teacher to China. At first she thought she 
could not respond to the call because she had intended 
to be a missionary to some Spanish speaking country. 
But at last she decided to go to the College of Mis- 
sions, Indianapolis, for one and a half years and then 
to go to far away China. She sailed in September, 
1915, and has since arriving, been diligently studying 
the language at Nankin. Miss Wilkinson will soon 
begin her work as head of a new school for girls at 



Cotner Alumni in Missionary Work 267 

Lochoufu, China, where she will be a power for good. 

These five, C. C. Drummond, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. 
Thomson, Lucile Ford and Wenona Wilkinson, are 
Cotner's representatives going ''into all the world" to 
preach the gospel. No one deserves more praise, be- 
cause of loyalty to a great cause, than those who ''lay 
down their cross" and follow Christ. Surely a crown 
is awaiting them. 

Bert Wilson, '09, as western secretary of the For- 
eign Missionary Society, is doing a great work in en- 
larging the vision of the church for missions. He was 
born in West Virginia, but at two years of age came 
with his parents to Minden, Nebraska. A vivid pic- 
ture of his youth is given in his characteristic style: 
"First school attended was in a sod house. Plowed 
corn with oxen. First public speech ever made was 
in the sand hills of the northern part of Kearney 
county. The pulpit was the saddle on a cream col- 
ored pony — the auditorium was a great stretch of 
sand hills and plains — the audience was cattle, coy- 
otes and prairie dogs. They all sat up and took notice. 
The subject, 'Prohibition speech for one of the old 
Demarest contests'." His education was received at 
Cotner with some post-graduate work at the Univer- 
sity of Nebraska. For two years he was head of the 
department of English at Cotner. The same length of 
time was spent as secretary of the Men and Religion 
Forward Movement for Lincoln and southeastern Ne- 
braska. 

He was called from this work to become western 
secretary of the Foreign Christian Missionary Society 
with headquarters at Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. 
Wilson's field includes Minnesota, South Dakota, Ne- 
braska, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Ar- 
kansas, Louisiana and Texas. His work consists in 
trying to enlarge the interest in foreign missions 



268 



History of Cotner University 



among all of our people, visiting Sunday schools, En- 
deavor societies, county, district and state conven- 
tions, delivering missionary addresses, holding con- 
ferences with the church boards, etc. Also helping to 
select qualified missionaries for the field, visiting well- 
to-do individuals and getting them to give large sums 
to the work. 

No better words, expressing appreciation of Mr. 
Wilson's work can be found than in the Missionary 




Bert Wilson 

Intelligencer: ''What a splendid field marshal is Bert 
Wilson! All the elements of success, faith, intelli- 
gence, missionary passion, good judgment, industry 
and tact are united in him so that he has sprung to a 
place of real leadership of the missionary hosts in a 



Cotner Alumni in Missionary Work 269 

comparatively short time. His relation to the churches 
of the middle west is of the very highest importance. 
Mr. Wilson is only in the morning of a large and a 
more useful day in the missionary propaganda among 
our people. He is an inspiration and a strength to 
the Foreign Society and his services are invaluable." 
Another field which is of equal importance with 
that of the F. C. M. S. is the American Christian Mis- 
sionary Society. In this great work of evangelizing 




Grant K. Lewis 

America, Cotner has a representative in Grant K. 
Lewis,' 98. A million foreigners are yearly coming in 
the United States which is the "melting pot" of the 
world. These people are to be Christianized just as 
well as those of foreign lands and when they segre- 
gate themselves into certain parts of our great cities, 
a problem is presented which is as intricate as any in 
a foreign field. The negro of the south should be 
given both education and religion. All over the 
United States are places where churches should be 
organized or where struggling churches are needing 
assistance. The evangelist is needed everywhere. 
These are only a few of the tasks left for the American 



270 History of Cotner University 

Christian Missionary Society to do. Grant K. Lewis 
as secretary of this society certainly has a noble work 
to do and he is doing it in a commendable way. The 
following report is suggestive of what has been ac- 
complished. Each year brings greater victories for 
this organization which has labored for so long and 
so faithfully. 

1913 Results Through the Home Society 

Missionaries and Evangelists 381 

Baptisms 7,685 

Other Accessions 7,290 

Unclassified 602 

Total 15,577 

Churches organized 65 

Number of Places Assisted 711 

Elmer and Elsie Child of the class '09, are two of 
Cotner's alumni engaged in missionary work in the 
home land. Mr. Child is a native of Nebraska, being 
born at Arapahoe in 1883. When thirteen years of 
age, his parents moved to Fitzgerald, Georgia, where 
Elmer finished his high school work in 1901. The 
little Christian Endeavor society of the Christian 
church was the place where he began his first religious 
work, which has since been actively continued. Mr. 
Child entered Cotner in the fall of 1903, completing 
his college course in '09. Among the student activ- 
ities, the Volunteer Band was the one to which he 
gave most attention. Mr. Child was married to Miss 
Elsie Britt in June, 1909, and they went at once to 
their homestead in South Dakota, remaining there 
until the first of the year 1911, when they went to 
Indianapolis to attend the College of Missions. They 
were at this time under appointment by the Chris- 
tian Woman's Board of Missions to Buenos Aires, 
Argentina, South America, but on account of the ill 



Cotner Alumni in Missionary Work 271 

health of Mrs. Chlid, were detained. An additional 
year's training was taken at the College of Missions 
in 1913, but the dangerous sailing condition, due to 
the European war, was the cause of their again being 
thwarted in their purpose. 

Elsie Britt Child, so well known by all Cotner peo- 
ple from the years 1904-1909, was born and reared 
in Seward County, Nebraska. Special credit is due 
Mrs. Child for the capable way in which she acquitted 
herself in the editing of the first Cotner annual, en- 
titled the ''Croaker," in 1908 and the Cotner Collegian 
in 1908-'09. Since her marriage to Elmer Child, their 
biographical sketches are inseparably linked. In 
October, 1915, Mr. and Mrs. Child began their work 
in the Mexican Institute, located in one of the sub- 
urbs of San Antonio, Texas. This institute was estab- 
lished by the C. W. B. M. three years ago and is now 
maintained by the same organization. The building 
where the work is carried on is a modern, well equipped 
structure. The work consists of a continuous attempt 
to implant Christian ideals in the lives of the hun- 
dreds of Mexican people who live in numerous huts 
surrounding the Institute. Daily classes in the study 
of the English language, sewing, millinery, etc., are 
conducted and Bible classes on Sunday are held in 
both the English and Mexican language, native help- 
ers assisting. The opportunity for work is great and 
much is being accomplished by Mr. and Mrs. Child. 

Clara Dill, another member of the '09 class, is doing 
a worthy work on the home missionary field. The 
early years of her life were spent at Cheney, Ne- 
braska. After her parents moved to Bethany, she 
attended public and high school there and then en- 
tered Cotner University Academy and later the Col- 
lege of Arts. Miss Dill also pursued the study of 
music, receiving her diploma from the Cotner School 



272 History of Cotner University 

of Music in June, 1914. Following her graduation 
from Cotner in '09, Miss Dill taught for two years in 
the rural schools near Portland, Oregon. She entered 
the College of Missions in the fall of 1914, remaining 
there for one year. 

Hazel Green, in Wolfe County, Kentucky, is a small 
village in the valley of the Red River. It is surrounded 
by lofty hills and here and there the clear mountain 
water forms sparkling brooks. This uniquely situated 
village is the home of the Hazel Green Academy, which 
is the oldest mountain school conducted by the C. W. 
B. M. It is here that Miss Clara Dill is working; 
teaching in the day school and assisting in numerous 
ways with the children of different ages who come to 
the academy. On Sunday she and other teachers go 
up farther into the mountain districts and conduct 
Sunday school work among the poor, but appreciative 
people of that locality. 

On the Pacific coast, C. F. Swander, '01, is corres- 
ponding secretary and superintendent of missions for 
the Christian Missionary Society of Oregon. He has 
been in this work for eight years, during which time 
the number of churches has increased from ninety- 
eight to one hundred and twenty-eight and the mem- 
bership of the churches from twelve to eighteen hun- 
dred. Mr. Swander's task is to organize churches, 
settle disputes, hold meetings, gather funds, conduct 
rallies and conventions and direct the entire mission- 
ary work of the state. 

Mr. Swander points to Iowa as his birthplace. His 
early manhood was spent as a school teacher, a printer 
and a preacher on Sundays. Four years were spent 
in Cotner, student preaching being done on Sunday. 
In 1904, he was a candidate for Governor of Nebraska 
on the prohibition ticket but says, "Be sure and tell 
folks I wasn't elected. I don't want to receive false 



Cotner Alumni in Missionary Wo}-k 273 

lienors." He was pastor at Ashland, Medford and 
McMinnville, Oregon, before beginning his present 
ivork. 

One of the great missionary forces in America is 
the Chrisitan Woman's Board of Missions. Ne- 
braska is fortunate to have its work under the direc- 
tion of Miss Cora Hemry, '93. This lady was born in 
the Buckeye state in 1875. Early in life she came, 
with her parents, to Fairfield, Nebraska. Here she 
attended school. Upon graduation from Cotner, she 
became a school teacher, holding for many years an 
important place in the Omaha public schools. When 
Mrs. Calla Scott Willard gave up the C. W. B. M. 
w^ork on account of ill health, a new leader was found 
in Miss Hemry. Her time is completely taken in vis- 
iting churches, attending conventions and planning 
and perfecting the women's missionary work of the 
state. 

Cotner University has not been untrue to that great 
Macedonian call, "come over and help us." When 
the call for help from China, India, and other mission 
fields came echoing over the ocean waves the re-echo 
carried back the answer ''we are coming." The mis- 
sionary spirit lives in Cotner's halls to-day. Ten stu- 
dents belong to the Volunteer Band. May the mis- 
sionary spirit grow until the sin of the world is con- 
sumed. Miss Minta Thorp was president of the Band 
during the last year. 



CHAPTER XXV 

Cotner of To-day 

Cotner University is young in comparison with the 
lives of colleges. Has the quarter of a century of its 
existence brought to it progress and advancement? A 
review of the past, in three directions, the town, the 
church and the college, will show what time has 
wrought. 

In 1890, the town of Bethany was a little village of 
scattered houses with none of the conveniences of a 
city. The population was only about two hundred, 
although much effort had been expended, during the 
two years previous, to interest people in the new en- 
terprise. To-day, Bethany has a population of about 
twelve hundred. The town owns its own water and 
lighting plant, furnishing excellent accomodations to 
its citizens. Two street car lines give splendid con- 
nection with the city of Lincoln. A new, brick high 
school building has just been completed which will 
make possible a good twelve grade school. In every 
way Bethany is making steady progress. 

From the beginning of the whole movement, the 
Bethany church and Cotner University have been so 
closely linked together that they are almost one. The 
church has suffered the same reverses as has the col- 
lege. The faculty and students have been faithful to 
the work of the church while in turn the church has 
loyally supported the college. For twenty years all 
church services were held in the college chapel. The 
year 1909 witnessed the dedication of the new build- 
ing which had been erected under the leadership of 
H. 0. Pritchard. The present pastor, C. R. Neel, is 
doing most efficient work in piloting the church to 
greater achievements. The church membership is 



Cotner of Today ' 275 

about seven hundred. The Bible school has an aver- 
age attendance of almost four hundred while all de- 
partments of the church are making steady progress. 
Because of the church and college, Bethany is the cen- 
ter of the Christian church work in Nebraska and 
from it, influence is radiated to all parts of the state. 
The men who have been pastors of the Bethany church 
are as follows : D. R. Dungan, three years ; W. P. Ayls- 
worth, two years; William Sumpter, one year; W. P. 
Aylsworth, three years; L. P. Bush, one year; A. D. 
Harmon, one year ; A. K. Wright, two years ; J. W. 
Hilton, four years; H. 0. Pritchard, six years; C. R. 
Neel, two years. Others have served for short per- 
iods when there was no regular pastor. 

In the field of Christian education, three advance 
steps have been taken which are of great benefit to 
Cotner. 

(1) The development of an educational conscience 
upon the part of the Christian churches within Cot- 
ner's field. 

(2) The unification of the educational work of the 
Christian churches of the United States. 

(3) The launching of a united financial plan in the 
form of the Men and Millions Campaign. 

If the religious and moral elements were withdrawn 
the denominational college has little hope of existence. 
It cannot expect to surpass, although it may equal, 
the state institution from an intellectual standpoint. 
The church founded the denominational college as a 
means of perpetuating itself. Without this religious 
zeal and determination it could never have existed. 
Every religious body established one or more colleges 
but several lessons were to be learned after the build- 
ings were erected and school begun. First, it was 
found that the college could not pay expenses from the 
tuition fund; that it was not a self-sustaining insti- 
tution. Second, the plan of land endowment, which 



276 History of Cotner University 

was almost universally adopted, was in nearly every 
case a failure. The third and last lesson is not as yet 
thoroughly mastered by all, but it is the only solution 
of this problem of Christian education; it is that, 
the church must support the child of its creation, the 
Christian college. 

It is much easier to get an individual, a church or 
any organization to give of their wealth for a definite 
purpose, such as the erection of a building or the 
launching of a new movement, than to a general ex- 
pense fund. It was necessary, however, to teach the 
members of the Christian churches of Nebraska and 
adjoining states that this is imperative to the exist- 
ence of Cotner University. 

In 1912, the churches gave to Cotner as an educa- 
tional offering $52.34; in 1903, $72.47, and in 1904, 
$233.45. Such amounts are practically nothing com- 
pared to the expense of a university. A great ad- 
vance, however, was made between the years 1911 
and 1916, the educational offering being as follows: 

August 1, 1911, to August 1, 1912 $2522.57 

August 1, 1912, to August 1, 1913 2294.40 

August 1, 1913, to August 1, 1914 3309.36 

August 1, 1914, to November 1, 1915 3755.89 

November 1, 1915, to March 8, 1916 (4 mos.) 2183.55 

For this great increase Chancellor Oeschger deserves 
much credit. No other Christian church college can 
point to such progress in this line. Grant K. Lewis, 
secretary of the American Christian Missionary So- 
ciety, said, ''There is no situation comparable in any 
other state to that which obtains between Cotner and 
its constituency." Cotner enjoys this result because 
of thorough work. The educational offering is taken 
upon the third Sunday of January. Upon this day the 
minister of each church is asked to give an educational 
address. Previous to this time the churches have been 
visited by the Chancellor or a Cotner field secretary to 



CoUier of Today 



211 




William Oeschger 

assist the pastor in securing pledges to meet the 
amount which has been apportioned them. Many of 
the pastors are Cotner alumni while almost every min- 
ister is in sympathy with the school. Perhaps no man 
ever connected with Cotner University labored more 
earnestly than has Chancellor Oeschger. He has given 
his time to this financial problem which is by no means 



278 Histo7-y of Cotner University 

a pleasant task, and has created an educational con- 
science in Cotner's territory which has never before 
been equalled and has paved the way for still greater 
advancement in the future. 

The second great advance step taken was, viz: the 
unification of the educational work of the Christian 
church in the United States. The idea which pre- 
vailed a quarter of a century ago, that every little 
town could support a college, has passed. This is an 
age in which all are beginning to realize the necessity 
for concentration. It takes enormous sums of money 
to equip and maintain a modern college, more by far 
than a local community can amass for that purpose. 
As the state has advanced and perfected the public 
educational system, the churches have felt the neces- 
sity for doing the same. 

There has always been an overlapping of territory 
and more or less rivalry has existed between the edu- 
cational institutions of the Christian church as has 
been true of the schools of other organizations. Re- 
cent years have witnessed what might be called a mass 
formation of the educational forces. This marks the 
first attempt toward unification in the direction of 
higher education although for years there has been 
concerted action in other fields such as the Foreign 
Christian Missionary Society, The Christian Woman's 
Board of Missions and the American Christian Mis- 
sionary Society. A national Board of Education of the 
Disciples of Christ has been created and a definite 
territory assigned to each college, which territory is to 
be canvassed for both students and funds. Cotner's 
assignment consists of the states of Wyoming, Colo- 
rado, South Dakota, the nothern half of Kansas and 
Nebraska. 

The last step is an outgrowth of the increased edu- 
cational conscience and the union of the Christian 
churches in a common cause. At first the Men and 



Cotner of Today 279 

Millions Movement was to be an attempt by the Amer- 
ican Missionary Society, the Foreign Society and the 
C. W. B. M. to raise $2,000,000 and to secure one 
thousand additional trained workers for missionary 
service. The movement was directed out of its orig- 
inal channel into a larger stream of activity including 
all the missionary societies and the colleges. The goal 
was to be one thousand trained workers and $6,300,- 
000. Of this amount $300,000 was allowed to cover 
the shrinkage in pledges ; $2,500,000 goes to the mis- 
sionary societies and $3,500,000 to the colleges for im- 
provements and endowment. The Business Men's 
Commission is to divide $3,000,000 of the apportion- 
ment to the colleges, among the ten most prominent 
schools of the Christian church, viz: 

Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia. 

Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio. 

Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky. 

Butler College, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Eureka College, Eureka, Illinois. 

Cotner University, Bethany, Nebraska. 

Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. 

Christian University, Canton, Missouri. 

Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma. 

Texas Christian University, Waco, Texas. 

The remaining $500,000 is to be apportioned among 
the smaller schools. 

Mr. R. A. Long has offered to give $1,000,000 when 
the Men and Millions team has secured $5,300,000 for 
this great forward movement. Mr. Long, the distin- 
guished layman of the Christian church, is bestowing 
upon the world a marvelous blessing by giving of his 
wealth. 

While the work of the Men and Millions Movement 
is not yet completed, its ultimate success is practically 
assured. When Cotner has received the $225,000 
which is her share of these millions, she will be ready 



280 History of Cotner University 

to enter the field of great universities. 

Cotner has been making advances all along the line. 
During the past few years improvements in a material 
way have been made. The gymnasium was erected 
in 1907. The properly equipped platform was added 
in 1915, making a splendid auditorium for all public 
gatherings. The new modern heating plant is a won- 
derful improvement. The library , which is now un- 
der the efficient management of Miss Josie Somers, 
is growing each year. Cotner has never witnessed a 
phenomenal growth, but is comparable with the man 
we call a ''plodder/' slowly but surety; accepting suc- 
cess and reverses as they come. 

During the twenty-seven years of her existence, Cot- 
ner has entrenched herself in the hearts of thousands. 
Human words would fail in an attempt to estimate 
the good accomplished. The history of the institution 
has been given in the pages of this book. We must 
now leave it for another quarter of a century. When 
the half century milestone has been reached, time will 
have wrought, through Cotner, even more marvelous 
wonders. 

In a sort of revery, let us stand before the great- 
building. During the day, in our fancy, we can hear 
the voices of the scores of students as they pass here 
and there when the bell calls them to the class rooms ; 
from the athletic field we hear the words of the old 
Cotner yell. During the night time, as if in a dream, 
we can see the building with its lofty spire towering 
above mother earth toward the blue sky; standing as 
a lonely sentinel watching over the quiet village of 
Bethany. All is softly kissed by the breezes that rustlf 
through the trees. Amid the stillness and loneliness 
we feel that Cotner is a sentinel, in the turbulent world, 
guarding the lives of men. We feel its presence and 
are instinctively drawn to the Prince of Peace. Amid 
sunshine or shadows may Cotner University ever ra- 
diate His love and power. 



N 



